Gasometer, Italy

This disused 1940s Gasometer in Italy is an unusual photographic subject. This 50m tall dodecahedral tower was once used to store gas. I missed out on some now-demolished UK examples, so very pleased to finally get inside one of these during my 2021 road trip to Italy.

History of the Gasometer

The gasometer was once associated with a nearby gasworks, both built in the 1930s. At that time, this was a suburban area of a developing and industrialising Italian town. The gasworks purpose was to convert coal into fuel gas for use in the gas-fuelled lighting systems of the day. This gasometer acted as short-term storage between production and consumption. Allowing flow to be regulated, and enabling supply to respond to peaks in demand or to fill a gap cause by breaks in production. This area was heavily damaged by bombing during World War Two. Bullets striking the Gasometer ignited the gas within, causing a series of explosions and sending up plumes of black smoke for many hours. After the war ended, like a phoenix from the ashes the Gasometer was brought back to life (after a costly demolition, and complete rebuild).

In the 1950s methane gas became more widely used. Additionally, this 1950s saw the rise of electrical street and domestic lighting and the phasing out of gas lights. These two factors in tandem signalled the end was approaching for the Gasometer. Despite the changing world, the Gasometer was still partially used for several decades to store methane gas. Eventually, it fell into disuse in the 1990s. The surrounding area is evolving and re-developing, but still this towering metal cylinder remains. It is an interesting piece of industrial archaeology, holding on a defying time. At least for now.

Exploring the abandoned gas storage tower

This is a dry-seal-type gas holder. The external shell is static, and inside is a piston that rises and falls. There is a seal or a membrane around the piston, which also rolls in and out to prevent gas from escaping. In this disused and depressurised state, the piston rests on the floor of the Gasometer and forms the floor level in my photographs. This large space once help up to 15,000 cubic meters of gas.

Inside the dodecahedral cylinder is around 25m wide, the ceiling towering 50m above. Six skylights flood the spaces with the bright Italian sun, it is not as dark inside as I had expected! In the middle of the ceiling is the access hole that leads to the roof. Hanging down from the roof access hole, dangles a tall concertina ladder that is affixed to the piston top.

Inside the acoustics are amazing! Everything echoes and reverberates. I will also never forget the smell, so strong it took my breathe away as I entered. The overpowering smell was certainly hydrocarbon based; either some pungent solids in the tank below or perhaps the sealing tar/oil surrounding the piston.