Tirano Liberty Route
The building of the Stazione Ferroviaria (1908-1909) designed by engineer Piccioli and by architect Ramponi overlooks the Piazzale della Stazione. While respecting the typical rules of a public edifice, it presents some originalities that can be found in the rectangular hipped roof surmounted by a wrought iron decorative crest, in the wooden gable, a recollection of the Swiss architecture of chalets, in the decorative motif present in the upper part of the frame of the windows of the first floor, and in Art Deco decoration of the pilaster strips.
On the same square is the Stazione delle Ferrovie Retiche designed between 1926 and 1927 by a Swiss architect on behalf of the Bernina Railway. It represents a very elegant example of Art Deco and pre-rationalist style, with reminiscences of the historic architecture in the columns that articulate the three-light window. The slate roof confers an Alpine tone to the construction. Casa Merizzi is situated at the intersection with Viale Italia. It is one of the first Liberty buildings of Tirano and was commissioned in 1902 by Girolamo Merizzi to architect Ugo Zanchetta, while still a student at the Brera. The building is in the Venetian neo- gothic style, originally associated with the mountain architecture typologies evident in the top arc. The Alpine character of the building is evident in the corner bow window supported by two logs which come out from the wall of the building.
Continuing along Viale Italia towards the Piazza Marinoni, on the right side of the road, is the Casa dell’antiquario Chiodi (today the site of a pharmacy). Commissioned in 1924 by Francesco Chiodi, the greatest Valtellinese antiquarian of the Twentieth Century, this building is a small concentrate of architectonic and neo- renaissance decorative motifs. The facade reflects the eclectic and historicist taste of the client.
At the end of the road, on Piazza Marinoni, is Stazione Perego designed in 1926 by the architect of Bormio Clementino Clementi, who built all of the stations of the road transport company Perego using different stylistic forms. The station of Tirano is the one with the greatest scenic effect and perhaps his most important work, together with villa Peloni in Bormio. The facade is a combination of late architectonic historicism and Art-Deco.
Across the square and the gardens is Viale Garibaldi; proceeding to the left is School Building the seat of the primary school. Designed in 1908 by architect Giuseppe Ramponi, it has a double twin façade system, with a long side facing the road. In the two entrance porches one can note the decorations of the arches and the stone parapet, surmounted by the face of an Athena, symbol of wisdom, from which there departs a ‘lash’ hairstyle which is typically Liberty. Returning towards the River Adda and proceeding to the bank, turning right towards Viale Italia, is Casa Clementi now Moretta (approx. 1910), and the masterpiece of architect Ramponi, the former Villa Martinelli (1908), now Soncelli most accomplished and mature expression of Liberty architecture in Valtellina. Leaving behind Viale Italia, strolling along the embankment and taking the pedestrian trail, one can see Villa Tognolatti of which one notes the detail of the circular window on the facade.