Horm Stories #41
Today, we want to introduce you to the Touring Club Italiano (TCI), one of Italy’s most prestigious institutions, with a history dating back to 1894. It was founded by a group of visionary young entrepreneurs from Milan, who established a private and self-financed association called the Touring Club Ciclistico Italiano. Their goal was to promote awareness among Italians of the country’s natural, environmental, scenic, and artistic diversity. The founders viewed the emerging concept of tourism as a “value” capable of fostering social and cultural integration among Italy’s citizens.
Today, the Touring Club Italiano has surpassed a century of activity and has embraced the mission of “caring for Italy” as a common good. Its goal is to make the country better known, more attractive, competitive, and welcoming, while contributing to the production of knowledge, the protection and enhancement of landscapes, artistic and cultural heritage, and the promotion of local economic and productive excellence. This is achieved through widespread volunteerism and a practice of travel that is ethical, responsible, and sustainable.
For over a century, the TCI was headquartered in Palazzo Bertarelli, located at Corso Italia 10 in Milan, just a short walk from the Duomo. This building, constructed between 1914 and 1915, served as the club’s home until 2021, when it was transformed by Studio Marco Piva into an elegant luxury hotel: the Radisson Collection Hotel
The building’s appearance is imposing and richly decorated: on the main façade, the entrance is framed by two Ionic columns, above which sits a balcony displaying the Touring Club Italiano’s emblem. The windows on the first two floors are bordered by columns supporting ornately decorated frames, while the top floor features paired windows. A recurring motif in the façade’s decoration is the use of pilasters and acanthus flower sculptures.
Upon entering, visitors are welcomed into the mosaic-floored hall, where statues of all the Touring Club presidents are displayed alongside a wrought-iron Art Nouveau staircase. Within this historic and luxurious setting, a distinctive design piece stands out: the Chariot rolling table by Casamania.
This design piece, born from the creativity of the eclectic designer duo GamFratesi, stands out for its large wheels, the metal frame that doubles as a handle, and its two trays that allow for easy transport of objects. Chariot has become a design icon, blending elegance and functionality, perfectly in harmony with the refined atmosphere of the Radisson.
Once again, Casamania’s design pieces prove their versatility, seamlessly adapting to diverse living environments while simultaneously adding a touch of elegant exclusivity.
