Coperto dei Figini
The Coperto dei Figini was a Renaissance porticated building located in what is now Piazza del Duomo, the central square in Milan, Italy. The construction began in 1467 on a design by architect Guiniforte Solari, ordered by Pietro Figino. The building, located on the north-western side of the piazza, was a popular meeting place for the Milanese people for over 400 years; it housed several shops that sold such drinks as the turbolin, chocolate, barbajada, orgeat syrup, and more. Many of these shops evolved into cafes when the first such establishments appeared in Milan; for example, one of the historic Caffé Campari in Milan was located there.
The Coperto was ordered for demolition in the early 19th century, as a consequence of the major redesign of the piazza. Painter Angelo Inganni has left a few drawings depicting the Coperto a few years before being demolished, and some photographs have also been preserved.Footnotes
