What is Gabella

In the 18th century the overall weakening of the papal authority forced the ecclesiastical government to focus its attention on the rationalization of its infrastructures, in order to facilitate the control of the collection of taxes and to stabilize local and general finances. In particular, at that time the upgrading of strategic ports such as Civitavecchia and Ancona marked the political discussion, and the desire to restart the economy encouraged by Pope Clement XII Corsini (1730-40) awaked a general enthusiasm. Thus, in Romagna region, centers like Rimini, Forlì, Cesena and Faenza started to strengthen and improve their infrastructures: primarily, port facilities and retail buildings. In architecture this meant a progressive functionalization of the design: geometry, comfort, utility, security and linearism became the terms for the new language. The outcomes of their reflections seem to respond to a common ideological ‘modus operandi': a sharing of intents which led to realizations just apparently different.