page_title: Palazzo del Monte di Pietà (Messina)
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Palazzo del Monte di Pietà (Messina) / History
caption_attribution_description: Messina Palazzo Monte di Pietà (Natale Masuccio)
context_page_description: The Palazzo del Monte di Pietà is a palace in Messina, Sicily, located on via XXIV Maggio. It was built in 1616 for the Arciconfraternita degli Azzurri to designs of Natale Masuccio. The building was severely damaged during the earthquake of 1908.
context_section_description: The mount of piety of Messina was founded in 1581 by the Arciconfraternita degli Azzurri, and it was built on the ruins of a church dedicated to St. Basil. The present building began to be built in 1616 to designs of the architect Natale Masuccio. The structure originally had a single floor.
  The building was modified in 1741 with the addition of a first floor, a bell tower and a staircase. These were built to designs of the architect Antonino Basile. A fountain decorated with a statue of Abundance, which was the work of Ignazio Buceti, was built in the middle of the staircase.
  The structure was damaged during the earthquake of 1783 and that of 1908. The building's upper floor was largely destroyed during the latter earthquake. The structure was further damaged by World War II bombings.
  Restoration of the building began in 1979, and it is now used for cultural purposes.
caption: The Palazzo del Monte di Pietà before the earthquake of 1908
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