Lift inside the Palazzo degli Anziani

The Palazzo degli Anziani, the historic seat of the city’s magistracies since the Early Middle Ages and the meeting place of the Council of Elders from the 11th century onward, has very ancient origins. According to historical sources, it was first built in 425 A.D. and later destroyed, before being rebuilt in 1270 to a design by Margaritone da Arezzo. The present building features a Romanesque-Gothic layout, subsequently modified over time, and is distinguished by its unique configuration due to its location on a steep slope. The seaward façade, rising over several levels, is characterized by a base with pointed stone arches made of Conero limestone and upper brick elevations, while the façade facing the square retains original architectural elements, including ogival loggias and fragments of sculptural decoration.

Within this context, the construction of the mechanical lifts serving Colle Guasco, carried out by Torelli Dottori S.p.A., involved a complex system of structural and infrastructural works aimed at improving connections between the different levels of the historic center and the port. The intervention included the creation of underground technical volumes and reinforced concrete structural shafts designed to house the lifting systems, integrated within the existing masonry structures.

The works were carried out under particularly challenging conditions, due both to the depth of the excavations and to the need to operate in close proximity to historic structures, requiring careful control of construction phases and site coordination. The vertical connection system is completed by the installation of a lift with a steel frame and fully glazed enclosure, conceived as a contemporary yet clearly identifiable element, while remaining compatible with the surrounding historic context. The adopted solutions enabled the integration of the new structures with the existing built environment, ensuring structural stability and functional continuity while respecting the historical and architectural character of the complex.