Description
The Palazzo della Dogana is an Art Nouveau building in the center of Messina, built after the 1908 earthquake to a design by Giuseppe Lo Cascio. It is worth a look for its floral decorations and because it stands where the Royal Palace stood for centuries.
Look at the cast-iron canopies and the gates, worked with flower and leaf motifs like the rest of the decoration, typical of the Art Nouveau style.
The Royal Palace that came before it had been the residence of the Norman kings on their visits to Messina, and later of the viceroys; in 1190 King Philip II of France stayed there, on his way to the Third Crusade.
Rebuilt by Andrea Calamech in 1589, it was damaged by the earthquake of 1783 and destroyed by that of 1908: the ruins were torn down in 1914 to make room for the Customs House.
Look at the cast-iron canopies and the gates, worked with flower and leaf motifs like the rest of the decoration, typical of the Art Nouveau style.
The Royal Palace that came before it had been the residence of the Norman kings on their visits to Messina, and later of the viceroys; in 1190 King Philip II of France stayed there, on his way to the Third Crusade.
Rebuilt by Andrea Calamech in 1589, it was damaged by the earthquake of 1783 and destroyed by that of 1908: the ruins were torn down in 1914 to make room for the Customs House.