The term ‘Falansterio’ alludes to the type of social settlement introduced by the French philosopher and economist Charles Fourier. Originally, the basic unit of the settlement, composed of 450 households, is also referred to as ‘phalanx’, hence the name, which is also used in different contexts.
The Porta Saragozza was also the subject of exterior renovation projects. Enrico Brunetti Rodati's Porta Saragozza inaugural architectural endeavour, completed in 1858 prior to the Unification of Italy, fell short of expectations: the grandiose medieval-style entrance remains obscured from view for those approaching from within the city walls, owing to the curvature of the thoroughfare. Giuseppe Mengoni proposed the rectification of Via Saragozza, which was to end in an oval square in which the gate would be set.
Coriolano Monti, for his part, was dissatisfied with the arrangement and drafted a design for a hexagonal porticoed square to connect the interior and exterior of the city walls via a covered thoroughfare.
The dispute remained unresolved and none of the projects were executed.
Sources
Daniele Pascale Guidotti Magnani, Palazzo Ratta Agucchi, via Farini 2-4-6, in Giornate Nazionali ADSI, Bologna, 2011, pp. 15-16.