The courthouse of Messina takes its name from its architect, Marcello Piacentini, who designed it in 1912. The building of the courthouse was suspended and not opened until 1928, because of the outbreak of First World War. The original design was changed during the construction: the structural part remained the same while the architectonical part changed from the neo-Renaissance style to the neoclassical style. The building, entirely in reinforced concrete in the weight-bearing structures, is made of three big bodies connected by several arcades; on the top of the main building there is a quadriga led by Minerva. The area in which the building is located is the place where, before the earthquake of 1908, there was the Grande Ospedale (Big Hospital) made in the 16th century, by Calamech and Ferramolino.