“Via Cairoli” was completely rebuilt between the wars, becoming a wider street with broad sidewalks, lined with stately buildings. One the more impressive is the former “Banco di Napoli”, now an “Intesa Sanpaolo” bank, almost opposite the “BNL”.
You can still see the old crest representing the four banks (“Monte di Pietà”, “Monte dei Poveri”, “Banco dello Spirito Santo” and “Banco di S. Giacomo e Vittoria”) which at the end of the 16th Century joined to form the “Banco di Napoli”.
In this vintage postcard you can clearly see the “Banco di Napoli” on the left.See also: Via Cairoli - BNL
These are great VP. Wonderful building.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, I have nothing much good to say about any bank. At least any bank in the United States! But then their chicanery has been aided and abetted by the wingnuts in our Congress who have been bought and paid for and thus responded with a hands-off policy which led to the current financial crisis.
ReplyDeleteHope these banks have more of a concern for the people they are supposed to serve!
If this were in the U.S., it would have been converted to a restaurant long ago.
ReplyDeleteIs/was there really a bank named “Banco dello Spirito Santo”?!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful building and as usually I like the old poscard.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weeeknd:)
@ Dina - Absolutely, you can find something about it in this paper: Accounting systems of Neapolitan Public Banks in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
ReplyDeleteThe names of the former banks are incredible! Would Monte di Pietà be something like the Mont de Piété (pawnbrokers?)
ReplyDeleteI don't think there have ever been any Monts de Pauvreté here and I'm pretty sure the same goes for la Banque du Saint Esprit !
The building would need a bit of Kärcher, don't you think?
@ ciel - “The Neapolitan public banks were founded in the late 16th century in the wake of bankruptcies of private bankers because of the deterioration of the economic situation...”
ReplyDeleteSound familiar?
Much of Livorno is badly in need of a lot of Kärcher...
I like the looks of this bank. I'm not sure about leaving my money with the Neapolitans though!
ReplyDelete@ Halcyon - Some people far North in Iceland would have been very happy to have their savings in Naples...
ReplyDeleteAnyway the “Banco di Napoli” is now owned by a group based in Turin and Milan.
Impressive is the word. Love the architecture!
ReplyDeleteIt never fails to amaze me how Livorno has kept or rebuilt most of its historical buildings. I love the crest and the tale it tells.
ReplyDeleteOK, the linked paper explains that
ReplyDelete"Banco dello Spirito Santo was founded by the homonymous Casa Santa that took care of poor girls born in morally corrupted environments."
Vintage photos are not always easy to find. I like the way you paired this one with your own photos.
ReplyDeleteLooks solid! As a bank, hopefully, is.
ReplyDeleteLe quattro banche!
ReplyDeleteCaspita, questa è storia! Storia grande, che non conoscevo di Livorno.