Carlo Allegri (1862–1938) was an Italian engineer who worked extensively in Siam (

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

) during the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. He served under the government of

King Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร� ...

(Rama V) for over 20 years, where he held the position of Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department. He oversaw the construction of numerous roads and bridges in the country and contributed to buildings such as the

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall ( th, พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม : ''Phra Thinang Anantasamakhom'': translated as 'The place of immense gathering'Noobanjong, page 167) is a royal reception hall in Dusit Palace i ...

Early life

In 1889, he left university and went to

to work for the Grassi Brothers, a foreign construction company in Siam. Later, the Thai government hired Allegri to help build palaces and other structures, making him the first foreign engineer to work in the Thai construction industry. In 1893, he became the chief engineer for the Ministry of Public Works and promptly hired 35 Italian staff members.

Career

Allegri was assigned by the Thai government to modify the palace. During renovations, Allegri had to overcome numerous construction issues. For example, he initially chose brick for the foundation of the building without realizing it was not strong enough. Allegri partnered with

Annibale Rigotti Annibale Rigotti (30 October 1870 – 8 March 1968) was an Italian architect, teacher, designer and urban planner. Biography Born in Turin, he was educated in architecture at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts and graduated in 1890. In 1893 he a ...

and Mario Tamagno who both graduated from the

Accademia Albertina The Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti ("Albertina Academy of Fine Arts") is an institution of higher education in Turin, Italy History In the first half of the seventeenth century, there was a "University of Painters, Sculptors and Architects" ...

in 1890. Allegri was not formerly educated in the same way as his partners, but had learned some engineering knowledge and experience from his family business. His family was known for bridge construction in Italy, and the Thai government knew that Allegri and his partners were able to construct the bridge. This is why they permitted to build many bridges in Thailand. In 1905, he and his partner wanted to build a bridge that was made from iron. In 1907, he and his friends had designed Villa Norasingh that had a feeling of “Venice of the East” and they built a huge palace for

King Rama V Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร� ...

called the

. Allegri built many buildings and structures and contributed to buildings such as, Phan Fa Li Lat Bridge (1905), Red cross hospital (1900),

Paruskavan Palace Paruskavan Palace (Thai วังปารุสกวัน) is a historic mansion in Bangkok. The house was built for King Chulalongkorn's son, Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath and his Ukrainian wife ( Kateryna Desnytska or Catherine Desnitski), ...

(1903-1905), and

Phan Phiphop Lila Bridge Phan Phiphop Lila Bridge ( th, สะพานผ่านพิภพลีลา, , ; 'King's Cross Bridge') is a bridge across Khlong Khu Mueang Doem (), or old moat, in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. The bridge connects Thanon Ratchadamnoen ...

(1904).

Personal life

Having played a prominent role in Thailand during the time of

’s renovation of

Siam Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...

(

), Allegri retired and returned to Italy after the completion of the

. In 1938, he died in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

at the age of 76.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Allegri, Carlo Italian expatriates in Thailand Italian engineers 1862 births 1938 deaths Expatriates in the Rattanakosin Kingdom