Ernesto Ganelli

Ernesto Ganelli (24 February 1901 – 9 September 1985) was an Italian civil engineer mainly active in Tuscany. He played a key role in the urban development of Grosseto between the 1920s and 1950s, designing numerous religious, civic, and social buildings. His works include most of the new churches in the dioceses of Grosseto and Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello, such as the basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as schools, orphanages, clinics, public housing, and urban redevelopment projects.

Life and career Born in Alessandria in 1901, Ganelli moved early with his family to Rome, where he studied civil engineering. After graduating in 1924, he settled in Grosseto, Tuscany, where he became a key figure in the city's urban development between the 1920s and 1950s. His early work in Maremma included urban redevelopment projects in Follonica, where he served as municipal technical director, and the construction of the "Luigi Pierazzi" seaside colony. In 1931, he designed the Francini clinic in Grosseto, notable for its eclectic neo-Renaissance style.

He developed a strong collaboration with the Diocese of Grosseto, designing almost all new churches in the area from the 1930s to the 1950s. Major works include the churches of San Giuseppe, Medaglia Miracolosa, San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, and the monumental Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, built to commemorate the victims of the 1943 bombings.

In addition to religious architecture, Ganelli contributed to civic and social projects, including schools, orphanages, healthcare facilities like the OMNI building, sanatoriums in Grosseto, Massa Marittima, and Orbetello, as well as public housing in Castel del Piano and Bagno di Gavorrano.

Ganelli died in Grosseto in 1985 and was buried in the cemetery of Misericordia.

Works (selection)

ONMI Building (1933–1934) in Grosseto Elementary School (1934) in Sassofortino Restoration of Palazzo Stella d'Italia (1934) in Grosseto Episcopal Seminary (1934–1936) in Grosseto Church of San Giuseppe (1935–1940) in Grosseto Church of San Guglielmo d'Aquitania (1935–1940) in Braccagni Clergy house of the Grosseto Cathedral (1936) in Grosseto Orphanage for boys "Giuseppe Garibaldi" (1936) in Grosseto Orphanage for girls "San Lorenzo" (1936) in Grosseto Church of Medaglia Miracolosa (1936–1937) a Grosseto Episcopal Seminary (1936) in Roccatederighi Church of Santi Paolo e Barbara (1938–1941) in Ribolla Church of San Rocco (1946–1948) in Marina di Grosseto Church of San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo (1946–1951) in Grosseto Medical Dispensary (1948–1952) in Massa Marittima Medical Dispensary (1948–1952) in Grosseto Agricultural Technical Institute (1949–1953) in Grosseto Church of Santa Maria Ausliatrice (1950) in Marrucheti Medical Dispensary (1950-1955) in Orbetello Church of Santa Maria Goretti (1951–1952) in Fonteblanda Retirement home "Francini" (1952) in Grosseto Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (1953–1957) in Albinia Basilica of Sacro Cuore di Gesù (1954–1958) in Grosseto Church of Apparizione (1956) in Montenero, Livorno Church of San Giuseppe Lavoratore (1956–1957) in Bagno di Gavorrano Church of Santi Lorenzo e Mamiliano (1958) in Giglio Porto Church of Santa Margherita (1958) in Poggi del Sasso Church of Madonna del Rosario (1958) in Pian d'Alma Church of San Donato (1958–1961) in San Donato Church of Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore (1959) in Bagnore Church of San Giovanni (1963) in Semproniano Restoration of the church of Misercordia (1968) in Grosseto