Luigi Manini

Who was Luigi Manini?

Luigi Manini, Count of Fagagna was a European set designer and architect. He was born in Crema, Italy, and studied at the Brera Academy before becoming an assistant to Carlo Ferrario, the professor of stage design at La Scala. Manini then moved to Portugal to work for the Real Teatro de São Carlos in 1879.

Today, Manini is best remembered for his Neo-Manueline architecture designs, especially the last palace of the kings of Portugal, the Bussaco Palace, begun in 1888 and today a prestigious hotel. Manini also designed the exuberant Quinta da Regaleira for millionaire António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro.

Manini's other work in Portugal includes:

Cottage Sassetti

Palácio Biester

Sets for the operas Aida, Il Guarany, Lohengrin, Mephistoles, and Otello

Teatro de Funchal

The Winter Garden at the Teatro de São João

Manini returned to Italy in 1912 and died in Brescia in 1936.