Architectural Description
The angular prospect between Via Marletta and Via Vittorio Emanuele, is the focal point of the building, highlighted by the white stone ashlar in contrast with the lava stone base. This is strengthened by the balcony with iron “goose-breasted” railing and supported by shelves also in white stone, variously molded. The entrance portal on Via Merletta n ° 7 has an arched opening surrounded by white stone jambs, flanked laterally by smooth ashlar. There are five molded shelves decorated frontally with bas-relief in allegorical figures that support the balcony with goose chest iron railing. The overlying opening presents the white stone jambs, surmounted by bas-relief decorations. The architect Lo Jacono, formerly Superintendent, saw in the façade, successive interventions by Francesco Battaglia. Some interiors, including the main hall, feature stucco work and decorations from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Other rooms, especially on the ground floor, used for commercial use, were lofted before the fifties. The building has a partial twentieth-century elevation and internal maintenance and change of intended use that have not altered the original distribution. The principal floor that can be reached from the main staircase is composed of various rooms with vaulted frescoed ceilings. Inside the main floor there are two communicating stairs, which lead to the mezzanine rooms intended for servants These make the two wings of the building independent, testifying the probable use of the noble floor of two families since its origin. The rooms of the noble floor are 25 square meters, surmounted by pavilion vaults in cane and plaster with various decorations, with balconies looking out onto Piazza Duomo. The traditional majolica floors consist of terracotta tiles decorated by hand in geometric and floral motifs.