The building that from 1818 and for more than a century housed theAthenaeum of Sciences, Letters and Arts was previously used as a lapidary (i.e., it collected excavated material) and was certainly not afraid of humidity: it stood above the Fontanone Visconteo, a reservoir dating back to 1342 with a capacity of no less than 22,000 hectoliters, fed by the Castagneta Vasi aqueduct and which for several centuries was used to draw water and as a reserve in case of siege.
The nearby Fish Market Square testifies to the fact that the place was used for trade due precisely to the availability of water from the Fontanone; think that the well mechanism was so carefully constructed that it is still possible today to operate the lever that pumped water from the cistern!
REACH:
Parking:
50 meters away (Rosate Square): public parking reserved for residents and lacking reserved parking spaces and with cobblestone pavement possibility of requesting a pass from the traffic police).
300 meters away (Hay Market Square): 1 reserved parking space with cobblestone pavement.
Public transportation: 230 meters away is the Upper Funicular Station; one of the two cabins is accessible by stairlift.
Pedestrian approach path to northern entrance (only accessible): sloping 7-8% on sidewalks with stone slab pavement; cobblestone road crossing to reach entrance
ENTER:
Secondary entrance accessible by stairlift to overcome 7 steps; the stairlift, in order to be used, must be opened to the street; the double-leaf door must be opened fully to allow the stairlift to pass through.
Platform stairlift: capacity 150 kg
VISIT:
Expositional space in one accessible and level room.
Used only for temporary exhibitions.
USING THE BATHROOM:
Accessible bathroom at the entrance: door 88 cm with external opening; adequate maneuvering space; toilet height 51 cm, with grab bars; sink height 81-75 cm, without mirror.
SUMMARY EVALUATION:
Person with motor disability: accessible with companion
Person with visual impairment: usable with companion.
