The Art Nouveaux dining hall
Built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries by engineer Decio Bocci, the dining hall is an example of Art Nouveau architecture, featuring elegant floral decorations created by painter Rocco Lentini. The centerpiece of the space is the Lambrì, a series of Vietri majolica tiles depicting Sicilian landscapes. Six Murano glass chandeliers, adorned with flowers symbolic of the style, add further elegance. Adjacent is a room, once reserved for the Abbess and now used by the principal, furnished with fine furniture. Today, the dining hall remains a gathering place for students, preserving its original charm.
The Art Nouveaux dining hall
This beautiful dining hall is an authentic Art Nouveaux style jewel, or Liberty style as we call it in Italy. It was built between late 1800s and early 1900s.
When you open the door, you are immediately taken by the beautiful floral paintings decorating its ceiling and walls. The main motifs – love knots and vegetation – are also painted on the window panels and doors creating an elegant and harmonious atmosphere.
These beautiful decorations were made by the famous local painter Rocco Lentini, who worked here alongside with the school girls, transforming this room from a simple dining hall into a great example of art and creativity. Yet the real masterpiece in the dining hall is the magnificent Lambrì – a long sequence of majolica tiles, coming from Vietri sul Mare, near Naples. They depict typical Sicilian landscapes, sugar canes, prickly pears and the sea. The vibrant green, yellow and blue colours recall the Sicilian landscape, bringing into the room the beauties of the island.
Quite interesting are the six Murano glass chandeliers, decorated with irises and lilies which are typical symbols of the local Art Nouveau style. These chandeliers enlighten the hall and give an extra touch of elegance. Next to the dining hall, there is a smaller room connected by a glass door where the headmistress nowadays dines. In the past, this area was available only for the Mother Superior.
The room is furnished with a few valuable pieces of furniture: two wooden cupboards decorated with engravings and mirrors, a round table and two pianos that once delighted the Mother Superior’s meals.
There is also a simple linear art déco chandelier, whose simplicity strongly contrasts with the rich decorations of the dining hall.
The dining hall still maintains its beauty and students still eat here. Its atmosphere takes you back in the past and you can experience an amazing and unforgettable moment.
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Audioguides curated by the students of Educandato Statale Maria Adelaide
School Year 2024/2025
School Year 2024/2025
