Giovanni Domenico Berio, marchese di Salza

Giovanni Domenico Berio originated from Genoa, son of a wealthy family long established in that city. In 1760, Berio married Maria Giuseppa Malaspina and certainly from that time if not before, Berio’s main residence was in Naples. In the same year, he purchased from Francesco Cattaneo the estates of Salza, Parolisi, Volturara and Montemarano and thus acquired the title of marchese di Salza.

In 1772, Berio purchased a property on the via di Roma and instructed the architect Luigi Vanvitelli to undertake a major renovation and extension, creating one of the finest houses in Naples and decorating it with many fine works of art. The project included the creation of a substantial library to house the outstanding collection of books which Berio had assembled.

Berio died in 1791; his title, his palace and his library were inherited by his son Francesco.