Palazzo de Larderel (Palace of Larderel), Livorno

The Palace of Larderel in Livorno is a striking example of 19th-century architecture, renowned for its grandeur and connection to the industrial rise of François Jacques de Larderel, a French entrepreneur who settled in Livorno after the revolution. Situated between the Cisternone and Republic Square (Piazza della Repubblica), the palace now houses the Civil Court of Livorno.

De Larderel, who played a key role in exploiting boraciferous blowers in Montecerboli, commissioned the construction of the palace in 1832 after purchasing land along Via dei Condotti Nuovi. Initially designed by Riccardo Calocchieri, the building underwent significant expansions, including two lateral wings by Gaetano Gherardi and later a unified façade by Ferdinando Magagnini. The façade, which spans 80 meters, bears resemblance to the Belgian Palace (Palazzo Belgioioso) in Milan, featuring symmetrical openings, a long central balcony, and detailed sculptures by Luigi Magi symbolizing commerce, mechanics, and agriculture.

Inside, though much of the original furnishings are lost, the palace retains its grand architecture. The vestibule showcases plaster statues of notable Tuscans, while the grand staircase, completed in the late 19th century, is adorned with additional statues. Noteworthy rooms include the dining room and party room, designed by Gherardi, with neoclassical-inspired decorations. The upper floor holds the once-famous Red Room or Grand Gallery, originally home to the count's art collection, characterized by a glass roof and paintings celebrating the family's prestige.

Other remarkable features include the ballroom, with its Ionic columns and classical bas-reliefs, and the Gothic Cabinet, an opulent neo-Gothic room crafted by Magagnini, boasting gilded wooden arches and mullioned windows. Despite some loss of its original decorations, the palace remains a testament to the de Larderel family's influence and the architectural splendor of 19th-century Livorno.