We thank the Library of Lignano Sabbiadoro for allowing us to share the results of a study commissioned by the Municipality of Lignano Sabbiadoro in 2016.
📘 The map offers a new perspective on Lignano, focusing on architecture rather than the typical beach activities. Derived from a study of the municipal archive and library, it is an educational tool that helps visitors explore and appreciate the city's architectural heritage.
The map provides a new perspective on Lignano, focusing on its architecture rather than the typical beach activities. Although it does not delve deeply into the detailed history of urban development, it facilitates walking or cycling tours to discover the city's most notable buildings. Its primary goal is to offer visitors a fresh and engaging view of the city.
The Growth of Lignano: From Its Beginnings to World War II (1903-1943)
Since its inception in 1903, Lignano developed from the eastern part towards the west, with tourism initiatives leading to the construction of the first hotels and villas along two main roads. After the destruction of the bathing establishment during the conflict, the city rebounded with the design of the Terrazza a Mare by Provino Valle, marking a new phase of urban development. In the 1930s, infrastructure improvements, such as roadworks and land reclamation, consolidated Lignano as a renowned tourist destination, characterized by the construction of important structures like the church, the marina, and the famous marine colony.
Lignano Pineta: An Urban and Architectural Revolution (1947-1959)
After World War II, Italy's reconstruction accelerated tourist development, with a particular focus on housing needs. In Lignano, designers carried forward the results of the debate on housing, advancing an experimental architectural culture. The Lignano Pineta plan, drafted by Marcello D'Olivo, was a fundamental act of urban regeneration, marked by a new urbanistic and architectural mindset that redefined the relationships between man, nature, and architecture.
Lignano and the Race to the Sea in the 1960s (1960-1969)
In the 1960s, the transformation of the territory for tourism purposes consolidated with plans for Lignano Sabbiadoro, Pineta, and Riviera. During the economic boom, the number of beds and visitor numbers tripled in ten years. However, urbanistic responses varied significantly between the different areas. D'Olivo's projects for Pineta and Piccinato's for Riviera contrasted with speculative degradation, while the "race to the sea" led to the spoiling of the coastlines, highlighting the contrast between tourist development and sustainable planning.
Lignano: Public Works and Tourist Development (1970-2000)
In the 1970s and 1980s, Lignano consolidated its position as a major tourist destination, completing significant public works such as the Pineta church, the Town Hall, and the Arena for concerts. Lignano Riviera enriched itself with prestigious architecture, following the best Italian design of the time, while striving to maintain a calm and quiet environment in contrast to the more chaotic tourist development.
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