Palazzo Zani – an important modern building in Reggio Calabria

History and description

Palazzo Zani, often known as the former “Palazzo del Genio Civile”, is a historic building in Reggio Calabria named after engineer Gino Zani, who took part in its reconstruction. The project was presented to the Building Commission in July 1920. The structure stands on a rectangular lot and consists of two floors plus a basement, adapting to the natural slope that extends from Lungomare Falcomatà up to Via Dei Bianchi. Externally, it features sober and almost uniform façades, with slightly protruding sections at the corners and in the central part. On the ground floor, the use of rusticated stonework is evident, with arched windows adorned with elongated keystones and semicircular arches at the corners decorated with pediments.

Today, the building’s function is closely tied to education: it houses the Faculty of Law and, more recently, the “Sezione dello Stretto” of the university library, inaugurated with the aim of promoting studies on the Strait of Messina area.

Curiosities

Although relatively recent, Palazzo Zani has become over time an urban and architectural landmark for the city of Reggio Calabria. It is also frequently used for conferences, public meetings, and cultural presentations.

Access

Palazzo Zani is not open to the public as a traditional museum, but it can be accessed free of charge during institutional events, temporary exhibitions, or by appointment for cultural activities linked to the Ministry of Culture.

How to reach it

Located along Corso Garibaldi, right in the city center, Palazzo Zani is easily reachable on foot from any point of Reggio Calabria’s historic center, by train from the central station, by ATAM city buses (lines 27 or 10), or by car, with parking available nearby.

Sober, institutional, and central to the city’s cultural life, Palazzo Zani represents an important piece of Reggio Calabria’s modern identity.

Photo credits: Salli~commonswiki (Wikipedia) - Licensed by public domain