Sassari, Berlinguer's birthplace becomes an art centre

The historic Art Nouveau building in Sassari, where Enrico Berlinguer was born in 1922, becomes an art centre. The building was built between 1911 and 1913 as a warehouse and resale of building materials, and later became the residence of the Cavanna family and the lawyer Sanna. Today, it is under monumental protection and is known above all for its connection with the figure of Enrico Berlinguer, remembered by a commemorative plaque affixed by the Municipality of Sassari to mark the centenary of his birth. The building has been purchased by the Fondazione di Sardegna (a banking foundation that ranks eighth in the national ranking of 80, with major holdings in the F2i fund, Bper banca and Cdp) and will be completely refurbished to be transformed into a centre for art and culture. The operation stems from the objective of expanding the institution's cultural and real estate assets, identifying in the city of Sassari a particularly valuable space to be used for cultural activities, innovation and local development.

"The acquisition of Palazzo Sanna-Cavanna was a complex operation, which required time and determination," emphasises Giacomo Spissu, president of the Fondazione di Sardegna, "but today it allows us to return an important asset, rich in history, to Sassari. It is an investment that looks to the future, with the aim of transforming the building into a vital container, open to culture, research and participation, in line with the Fondazione di Sardegna's mission". The destination of the spaces, as Spissu emphasises, 'will be defined through a shared path, combining memory and innovation, and the Foundation intends to promote initiatives capable of involving the community and the new generations, making the building a vital and dynamic place, capable of hosting exhibitions, shows, festivals, workshops, and activities related to the frontiers of creativity and technology. Furthermore, the possibility of dedicating a space to the figure of Enrico Berlinguer will be studied'.

The building, which overlooks three streets in the city centre and also has a large inner courtyard, is now in need of extensive restoration. The aim is to preserve its original architectural features and, at the same time, to adapt its spaces to new functions, envisioning exhibition halls, workshops, and rooms for training and cultural events. The restoration project, which complements that of the Chiostro di San Francesco in Cagliari, is inspired by experiences already implemented in other Italian cities, where historic buildings regenerated by banking foundations have become cultural centres and innovation hubs.