Palazzo Repulso

Acrostic

(1802, Et Al) It has no official name, but the local nickname has stuck to this architectural oddity. The building began in 1802, with its owner, Aard A'Beckett having the modest ambition of recreating an Irish castle. Upon his death, the incomplete building passed into the hands of Aantonio Angelo who tried to remodel the building into a Venetian Palace.

Four years later, the winemaking family, the Quellens, bought the property. This prominent German family decided to revamp the palace as a copy of Wagner's Bayreuth Theatre. However, with the occurrence of the 1850s' Great Opera Intermission, they were forced to sell their incomplete meisterhaus to a group of successful Chinese Gold Prospectors who set about building a new wing as a joss house.

Becoming somewhat of nouveau riche bogey, since then it has had over 14 owners, survived 5 fires, and had 12 more wings, and 3 more floors added, each reflecting the lofty ideals and low tastes of the owners. The National Trust has unsuccessfully campaigned to have the building demolished.

12-16 Krix Street, Tutankamen, Acrostic.

© Copyright Simon Kirby 1996-2005