Antonino Liberi (1855-1933)
Free Antonino was born in the Spoltore 18/02/1855 by Pasquale and Fiorangela Conti. He studied at the "Liceo-school G.B. Vico "of Chieti and then took a degree in engineering.
16/2/1883 he was appointed city engineer for the City of Pescara, who entrusted him with the urban plan of expansion, approved by the City Council on 01/09/1884. With the new task is inserted as the protagonist in the heat of renovation work of the city are in these years Perenich Palace (1884), Casa Conti (1884), House Bucco (1892), the Palace of the Bank of Pescara (now De Cecco ) of 1892, in which it is proposed, as part of eclecticism now prevailing in the rest of Italy and Europe, a neo-Renaissance style, which rediscovers the ashlar to decorate the facades, the mullioned window, the string course, the regular succession of windows.
With the beginning of the new century and the gradual development of the city of Pescara, the need for urban renewal determine a way to intervene on urban space characterized by greater attention to the facades of the houses. In an effort to improve and beautify the city and inspired themes and types of floral diffusisi in Italy and in Europe, the Free designs and builds many buildings, both public as the Grand Hotel and the new theater Michetti (formerly Politeama Aternino) , both of 1910, and private, as the cottage and the cottage Clerico Costanzo.
In recent years has made a strong commitment to a project that sees the development of the district Pineta, with the intention of turning it into holiday resort seaside resort, a "Garden City" with wide avenues, walks, park, large stage and a pavilion of exposure.
Position in this project is to take the Kursaal, worldly-cultural meeting place of the bourgeoisie Pescara.
Will also work in Francavilla, where will realize the Palazzo Sirena, and Rome, where he proposes in various villas typical characteristics of the floral style.
In the early twenties Gabriele d'Annunzio, who married the sister of Ernesta, entrusted him with the restoration of his birthplace, being bound to him by profound respect and affection. But a series of misunderstandings and misconceptions make it increasingly difficult relationship with the poet who, dissatisfied with the restoration that is leading Free, the withdrawal of the task to be left to Maroni.
He died Dec. 3, 1933.
