Picchiani, Francesco

Picchiani, Francesco (also called Picchetti), an Italian archlitect, was born at Ferrara in the latter part of the 17th century. He was the son, and probably the pupil, of Bartolofimeo Picchiani, who erected the church del Monte della Misericordia at Naples. Francesco settled in that city, where he gained a high reputation for his talents. He was employed by the viceroy Don Pedro Arragona to assist in the construction of a basin for the royal galleys, and other vessels. He also constructed the beautiful avenue leading from the basin to the piazza of the palace, adorning it with elegant fountains. Among his other works were the church and monastery of S. Giovanni della Monache. without the Porta Alba; S. Agostino; La Divino Amore; the church and monastery de Miracoli; and the Monte de Poveri, in the Strada di Toledo. He died in 1690.