Today 11 July is the birthday of Giuseppe Sommaruga, one of the greatest Italian exponents of Art Nouveau who, among other things, enabled Milan to become the Italian capital of this artistic and architectural current. On this anniversary of his birth, Art Nouveau Week, which runs throughout Europe until 14 July, falls like a glove. Protagonists are also and obviously Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt, the latter an artist of the Viennese Secession and also a Cancer sign, born in Vienna on 14 July 1862. In short, a week dedicated to this style that sees the opening of more than 500 buildings normally closed to the public and scattered throughout Europe. The initiative – in Italy – is promoted and organised by the Associazione Italia Liberty and curated by Andrea Speziali together with a scientific and honorary committee. Two hundred cities are involved and here we try to summarise the Italian stages that are essential for us.

Palermo and Catania (Sicily)

Two cities in Sicily are home to some Art Nouveau jewels. In Palermo, Via Dante is the Art Nouveau protagonist. Famous for being the Via dell’Esposizione, it was opened in 1891 for the National Exhibition. Here the only completely intact villa is Villa Virginia Caruso, which has remained unchanged from the Belle Époque years. But the Villino Favarolo, now the Palermo Museum of Photography, and the Villino Florio are also worth a visit.

In Catania, on the other hand, Villa Ardizzone in Via Rapisardi, a street full of Art Nouveau buildings, stands out. In Corso Italia, on the other hand, is Villa Manganelli, an iconic example of Catania’s Art Nouveau style designed by Ernesto Basile.

Milan

Milan proves to be the undisputed italian capital of Art Nouveau thanks to the works of Giuseppe Sommaruga. From Palazzo Castiglioni – just restored – to Casa Campanini. But also Casa Galimberti in the Porta Venezia area with a beautifully decorated façade. A hidden gem is undoubtedly the Farmacia Santa Teresa on the corner of Corso Magenta and Piazzale Francesco Baracca with its original Art Nouveau interior. The Milanese tour, which would require a chapter of its own, cannot but be concluded with Palazzo Berri Meregalli, also in Porta Venezia, Milan’s most Art Nouveau district. Palazzo Berri Meregalli with its corner façade is considered the last example of Milanese Art Nouveau architecture.

Turin

Although many say that Milan is the Italian Art Nouveau capital, they may not know that Turin is competing to become a UNESCO World Heritage City for Art Nouveau. It is a veritable open-air museum that, even if we did not draw up a list of things to see, it would be enough to stroll through the streets of the centre to discover floral details and decorated façades. In any case, our must-sees are Casa Florio, Casa Fenoglio, Villa Scott, Palazzo della Vittoria also known as Casa dei Draghi and in Via Argentero 4 the beautiful Portone del Melograno.

Ferrara

In contrast to Milan and Turin, which are already known for their Art Nouveau architecture, Ferrara is less well known in this respect, but in our opinion well worth a visit. The right place to see examples of Belle Époque villas is Viale Cavour, full of villas designed by architect Ciro Contini. Of them all, Villa Melchiorri deserves special mention. Built by Contini for Melchiorri, a florist by profession, the floral element is even more present. Another unique detail is the circular French door with its wrought-iron parapet, which looks like something out of a storybook.