Cisternoni of Livorno, Livorno

The Cisternoni of Livorno, particularly the Cisternone, stands as a testament to 19th-century Neoclassical architecture and advanced engineering. Designed by Pasquale Poccianti, construction of the Cisternone began in 1829 as part of the Acquedotto Leopoldino, intended to store and distribute water from the Colognole hills to Livorno. Its impressive semicircular dome, coffered ceilings, and solid colonnade make it a striking feature along the avenue leading from the Livorno train station to Republic Square (Piazza della Repubblica).

Poccianti, inspired by his correspondence with Giovanni Antonio Antolini, adapted his initial façade design into the grand structure we see today, featuring a large, shell-like dome resting on a portico. Completed in 1842, the Cisternone was operational as a water reservoir until the early 1900s, capable of holding up to 11,000 cubic meters of water. Its interior is marked by Tuscan-style pilasters supporting vaulted ceilings, and its original water filtration system, though replaced by chlorine treatment, exemplified the reservoir's functional prowess.

While the Cisternone served Livorno for decades, its aesthetic value also places it among the major Neoclassical works in Italy. Today, the building serves cultural purposes, hosting events and housing a theater, demonstrating its lasting impact on the city both architecturally and historically.