Mengoni, Giuseppe

SUBJECT AREA: Architecture and building

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b. 1829 Bologna, Italy d. 1877

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Italian architect who designed one of the most impressive of the great ferrovitreous shopping arcades of the nineteenth century, that of the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in the centre of Milan.

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The Milan Galleria (1865–77), unsurpassed among existing arcades of this type, has a cruciform plan, its lofty arms barrel-vaulted and the crossing covered by a domed octagon. The entrance to the arcade, from the Piazza del Duomo, takes the form of an imposing classical triumphal arch. The whole urban scheme involved the enlargement of the cathedral square and alterations to the Piazza della Scala, which is situated at the opposite end of the arcaded gallery. The stone, iron and glass structure is of high quality, with careful attention to detail. In good restorative condition, the Galleria has always provided an important function in the life of the centre of the city of Milan.

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