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{{Short description|Russian architect (born 1959)}}
{{Short description|Italian-Russian architect (born 1959)}}
{{Proposed deletion/dated
|concern = Promotional article, lacks coverage in independent WP:RS to establish that WP:NBIO is met.
|timestamp = 20221119055616
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{{Infobox architect
{{Infobox architect
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Lanfranco Cirillo
| name = Lanfranco Cirillo
| image =
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Cirillo2015.jpg
| caption = Cirillo in 2015 in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]
| caption = Cirillo in 2015 in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater = [[Ca' Foscari University of Venice]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|5|30|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|5|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Treviso]], Italy
| birth_place = [[Treviso]], [[Italy]]
| nationality = {{unbulleted list|Italian|Russian}}
| nationality = {{unbulleted list|Italian|Russian}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Architect|interior designer|entrepreneur|winemaker}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Architect|interior designer|winemaker}}
| practice = Masterskaja architectural office
| practice = Masterskaja architectural office
| death_date =
| death_place =
| significant_buildings =
| significant_buildings =
| significant_projects =
| significant_projects =
| awards =
| education =
| spouse = {{plainlist|Married}}
}}
}}


⚫
'''Lanfranco Cirillo''' (born 30 May 1959) is an Italian [[architect]], residing in [[Moscow]] and [[Dubai]]. He was a founder and a co-owner of an architectural studio Masterskaja in Moscow.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Albats |first1=Evgeniya |last2=Osipova |first2=Olga |last3=Beshley |first3=Olga |date=27 April 2012 |title=Параллельная реальность - "Дворец Путина" и пределы Матрицы |trans-title=Parallel Reality - "Putin's palace" and the limits of the Matrix |url=https://newtimes.ru/articles/detail/51230/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=newtimes.ru}}</ref>
'''Lanfranco Cirillo''' (born 30 May 1959) is a Russian [[architect]] of Italian origin, residing in Moscow and Dubai.


== Early life ==
⚫
He is a founder and a co-owner of an architectural studio Masterskaja in Moscow.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Albats |first1=Evgeniya |last2=Osipova |first2=Olga |last3=Beshley |first3=Olga |date=27 April 2012 |title=Параллельная реальность - "Дворец Путина" и пределы Матрицы |trans-title=Parallel Reality - "Putin's palace" and the limits of the Matrix |url=https://newtimes.ru/articles/detail/51230/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=newtimes.ru}}</ref>
Cirillo was born in [[Venice, Italy]] in 1959.<ref name=":2"/> He studied architecture and graduated from the [[Ca' Foscari University of Venice]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom |last2=Schreck |first2=Carl |date=October 29, 2015 |title=Meet The 'Poor Italian Architect' Who Designed 'Putin's Palace' |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-meet-italian-architect-who-designed-putin-palace/27333725.html |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}</ref> After university, he traveled.<ref name=":4" />


== Career ==
In 2014, he received Russian citizenship after more than 20 years of residence in the country.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Esch |first=Christian |date=24 February 2021 |title=The Man Who Built the Billion Dollar Palace |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russia-the-architect-of-putin-s-purported-palace-comments-on-alexei-navalny-s-film-a-582ce581-3c66-4b01-b065-1af8112f4247 |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Der Spiegel}}</ref>


== Early life ==
=== Architecture ===
Initially, Cirillo worked in "Arab countries" for several years.<ref name=":4" /> In 1991, a friend put him in touch with [[Vagit Alekperov]], president of [[Lukoil]], who "wanted a foreign architect to build him a [[dacha]]."<ref name=":4" /> Cirillo says, "I started out doing homes. Then I met LUKoil through this man. I worked for Lukoil until 2002-03. I started building for Alekperov and for the deputies of LUKoil. I built on [[Sretensky Bulvar]]–interiors, offices, then dachas, offices, apartments."<ref name=":4" />
Lanfranco Cirillo was born in Venice in 1959.<ref name=":2"/>


⚫
Cirillo moved to Moscow and worked for the [[Mascagni Ufficio]] furniture company.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Esch |first=Christian |date=24 February 2021 |title=The Man Who Built the Billion Dollar Palace |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russia-the-architect-of-putin-s-purported-palace-comments-on-alexei-navalny-s-film-a-582ce581-3c66-4b01-b065-1af8112f4247 |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Der Spiegel}}</ref> In 1995, he opened his architectural studio, Masterskaja, on [[Arbat Street]] in the historic center of Moscow.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Schreck |first1=Karl |last2=Sharogradsky |first2=Andrej |date=20 January 2021 |title=Архитектор "Дворца Путина". Загадки карьеры Ланфранко Чирилло |trans-title=The architect of "Putin's Palace". The mysteries of Lanfranco Cirillo's career |url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/27335661.html |access-date=8 October 2022 |newspaper=Радио Свобода}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> However, his Italian university diploma was not legally recognized in Russia, so he could not sign off on his own design projects.<ref name=":4" />
== Entrepreneurship ==


⚫
Cirillo's clients included [[Gazprom]] and [[Novatek]].<ref name=":4" /> In the special issue "Russia-Italia" of the business magazine ''Milano Finanza International'', Cirillo reported that he earned $15 million in one year of business.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Giuliano |first=Cristina |date=February–March 2015 |title=Il progettista del Presidente |trans-title=The President's Designer |url=https://static.milanofinanza.it/doc/speciali/2015/mf-russia.pdf |journal=MF International |issue=Russia-Italia |pages=46}}</ref> After that, Masterskaja's annual turnover was $30 to $40 million.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Sechina |first1=Anastasia |last2=Sokolov |first2=Vladimir |last3=Kovalev |first3=Alexei |date=3 February 2021 |title="Я любил эту страну. И почему теперь я самый последний бандит, блин?" Архитектор "дворца Путина" Ланфранко Чирилло рассказал "Медузе" о своей карьере в России — и о том, как грустно она завершилась |trans-title="I loved this country. And why am I the last bandit now, man?" Lanfranco Cirillo, the architect of "Putin's palace," told Meduza about his career in Russia - and how it ended sadly |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/02/11/i-loved-this-country |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Meduza}}</ref> His staff included 120 architects.<ref name=":3" />
=== Architecture studio Masterskaja ===
⚫
In 1995, Cirillo opened his architectural studio on Arbat in the historic center of Moscow.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Schreck |first1=Karl |last2=Sharogradsky |first2=Andrej |date=20 January 2021 |title=Архитектор "Дворца Путина". Загадки карьеры Ланфранко Чирилло |trans-title=The architect of "Putin's Palace". The mysteries of Lanfranco Cirillo's career |url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/27335661.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Svoboda}}</ref>


Cirillo became "a kind of lifestyle teacher to the nouveau riche", building and furnishing villas and dachas.<ref name=":3" /> His products were turn-key, even including details such as wine glasses and Italian wines.<ref name=":3" /> Other projects included decorating {{Convert|100|m|ft}} yachts and designing a golden bathroom for an airplane.<ref name=":3" /> According to Cirillo, he built offices and homes for 43 Russian billionaires.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 August 2022 |title=Italian Police seize assets worth $144m—including works of art—from 'Putin's Palace' architect |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/08/05/italian-police-seize-assets-worth-dollar144mincluding-works-of-artfrom-putins-palace-architect}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
⚫
In the special issue "Russia-Italia" of the business magazine Milano Finanza International, Cirillo reported that after one year in business he had already earned $15 million.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Giuliano |first=Cristina |date=February–March 2015 |title=Il progettista del Presidente |trans-title=The President's Designer |url=https://static.milanofinanza.it/doc/speciali/2015/mf-russia.pdf |journal=MF International |issue=Russia-Italia |pages=46}}</ref> After that, Masterskaja's annual turnover was $30–40 million.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Sechina |first1=Anastasia |last2=Sokolov |first2=Vladimir |last3=Kovalev |first3=Alexei |date=3 February 2021 |title="Я любил эту страну. И почему теперь я самый последний бандит, блин?" Архитектор "дворца Путина" Ланфранко Чирилло рассказал "Медузе" о своей карьере в России — и о том, как грустно она завершилась |trans-title="I loved this country. And why am I the last bandit now, man?" Lanfranco Cirillo, the architect of "Putin's palace," told Meduza about his career in Russia - and how it ended sadly |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/02/11/i-loved-this-country |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Meduza}}</ref>


⚫
In 2016, Masterskaja reached the final round of the architectural competition for the design of the new parliamentary center in Moscow.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sovina |first=Marina |date=3 August 2022 |title=В Италии арестовали имущество имеющего гражданство России архитектора |trans-title=In Italy the property of an architect with Russian citizenship was seized |work=Lenta.ru}}</ref> However, the idea of the parliamentary center was eventually abandoned.<ref name=":2" /> Cirillo closed his architectural firm and stopped doing business in Russia.<ref name=":3" />
As architect, interior designer, and "lifestyle teacher to the nouveau riche," he has built and furnished dachas and villas. According to Cirillo, his clients have included 43 Russian billionaires.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/08/05/italian-police-seize-assets-worth-dollar144mincluding-works-of-artfrom-putins-palace-architect | title=Italian Police seize assets worth $144m—including works of art—from 'Putin's Palace' architect | date=5 August 2022 }}</ref>


In 2021, Cirillo came to international attention when Russian opposition figure [[Alexei Navalny]] posted the documentary film, ''[[Putin's Palace (film)|Putin's Palace. History of World's Largest Bribe]],'' to ''[[YouTube]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Ben |date=26 January 2021 |title=Revelations About 'Putin's Palace' Helped Spark Widespread Protests in Russia. Here's What's Inside His Secret 'New Versailles' |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/putins-palace-luxury-1939501 |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Artnet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Navalny |first=Alexei |date=17 January 2021 |title=Дворец для Путина. История самой большой взятки |trans-title=A Palace for Putin. The Story of the Biggest Bribe |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipAnwilMncI |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Youtube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Navalny |first=Alexei |date=17 January 2021 |title=Дворец для Путина |trans-title=A Palace for Putin |url=https://palace.navalny.com/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Navalny.com}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> The documentary by the [[Anti-Corruption Foundation]] was about a {{Convert|180,000|sqft|m2}} [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassic]] [[Putin's Palace|mansion]] on the [[Black Sea]] reportedly owned by Russian [[Vladimir Putin|President Vladimir Putin]]; its construction is believed to have cost over one billion US dollars in 2009.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56007943 | title='Putin's palace': Builders' story of luxury, mould and fake walls | work=BBC News | date=12 February 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Scheer |first=Nathan |date=2022-08-12 |title=Putin's Architect: Who Is Lanfranco Cirillo? |url=https://rehs.com/eng/2022/08/putins-architect-who-is-lanfranco-cirillo/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Rehs Galleries |language=en-US}}</ref> Although Cirillo designed the palace and selected its interior decor and furnishings, he was not involved in its construction.<ref name=":3" /> He stated that his client was Stroygazconsulting, a company owned by a Jordanian businessman, which wanted a place for meetings and receptions.<ref name=":3" /> Cirillo said, "Aesthetically speaking, it is very correct considering historical proportions. It is not kitsch. It's not overdone, but naturally it is rich, as it was supposed to be. And we used fantastic materials. I was proud of my job. It's very good 'Made in Italy.'"<ref name=":3" />
⚫
In 2016 Cirillo's company Masterskaja reached the final round of the architectural competition for the design of the new parliamentary center in Moscow.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sovina |first=Marina |date=3 August 2022 |title=В Италии арестовали имущество имеющего гражданство России архитектора |trans-title=In Italy the property of an architect with Russian citizenship was seized |work=Lenta.ru}}</ref> According to the plan, the complex was to unite the buildings of the State Duma and the Federation Council and be located near the Mnyovnikovskaya floodplain in Moscow. The idea of the parliamentary center was eventually abandoned.<ref name=":2" />


Cirillo gained international attention as an architect when Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny posted a YouTube video of President Putin's alleged "[[Putin's Palace|New Versailles]]" in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Ben |date=26 January 2021 |title=Revelations About 'Putin's Palace' Helped Spark Widespread Protests in Russia. Here's What's Inside His Secret 'New Versailles' |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/putins-palace-luxury-1939501 |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Artnet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Navalny |first=Alexei |date=17 January 2021 |title=Дворец для Путина. История самой большой взятки |trans-title=A Palace for Putin. The Story of the Biggest Bribe |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipAnwilMncI |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Youtube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Navalny |first=Alexei |date=17 January 2021 |title=Дворец для Путина |trans-title=A Palace for Putin |url=https://palace.navalny.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Navalny.com}}</ref> The “palace” complex on the Black Sea is believed to have cost over one billion US dollars to construct.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56007943 | title='Putin's palace': Builders' story of luxury, mould and fake walls | work=BBC News | date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> The press reported that the public stir this video caused had brought him to the attention of Italian tax authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Caroline |date=5 August 2022 |title=Italian Authorities Just Seized $144 Million in Art From Vladimir Putin's Favorite Architect |url=https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/italian-tax-police-seize-art-from-lanfranco-cirillo-1234736232/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Robb Report}}</ref> Since 2022, Cirillo has been under investigation for tax offenses in Italy during 2013 to 2019 with assets totaling 141 million euros having been seized from him as part of the investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2022 |title=Putin's Architect: Who is Lanfranco Cirillo? |url=https://rehs.com/eng/2022/08/putins-architect-who-is-lanfranco-cirillo/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Rehs}}</ref>
The controversy brought Cirillo to the attention of Italian tax authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Caroline |date=5 August 2022 |title=Italian Authorities Just Seized $144 Million in Art From Vladimir Putin's Favorite Architect |url=https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/italian-tax-police-seize-art-from-lanfranco-cirillo-1234736232/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Robb Report}}</ref> Since 2022, he has been under investigation for tax offenses in Italy from 2013 to 2019.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=12 August 2022 |title=Putin's Architect: Who is Lanfranco Cirillo? |url=https://rehs.com/eng/2022/08/putins-architect-who-is-lanfranco-cirillo/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Rehs}}</ref> As part of their investigation, Italian authorities seized assets totaling 141 million [[euro]]s from Cirillo's villa near [[Brescia|Brescia, Italy]], including a private helicopter, jewelry, and a 150-piece art collection with works by [[Paul Cézanne]], [[Giorgio de Chirico]], [[Amedeo Modigliani]], and [[Pablo Picasso]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />


According to media reports, Cirillo expressed surprise at having to face such a controversy after living and working in Russia for more than 20 years. In an interview, he said, "I am proud to have created significant works in Russia, commissioned dozens of Italian companies, and brought the best of Italian excellence into the homes of many of the most important and influential people. Nevertheless, with serenity and confidence, I have already begun to work personally with the Magistrate. And I will continue to do so until my position is fully clarified." Cirillo's lawyers said in February 2022 that the businessman was able to provide documents and testimony to prove that his income was earned outside Italy and therefore should not have been taxed there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polyakova |first=Viktoria |date=3 August 2022 |title=В Италии арестовали имущество архитектора "дворца" под Геленджиком |trans-title=Italy arrested the property of the architect of the "palace" near Gelendzhik |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/08/2022/62ea89999a79475415e37643 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804110533/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/08/2022/62ea89999a79475415e37643 |archive-date=4 August 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref> Accordingly, the circumstances "seem inconsistent with the hypothesis of his fictitious residence in the Russian Federation and with the claim that the architect should have declared his income in Italy."<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2022 |title=Lanfranco Cirillo, indagato "l'architetto di Putin": nascosti 50 milioni al Fisco. Sequestrate le tele di Picasso, Cezanne e Kandinsky |trans-title=Lanfranco Cirillo, "Putin's architect" investigated: hid 50 million from the IRS. Picasso, Cezanne and Kandinsky canvases seized |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/italia/architetto_putin_lanfranco_cirillo_indagato-6529719.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Il Messaggero}}</ref>
In February 2022, Cirillo's lawyers said that he was able to provide documents and testimony to prove that his income was earned outside Italy and, therefore, should not have been taxed there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polyakova |first=Viktoria |date=3 August 2022 |title=В Италии арестовали имущество архитектора "дворца" под Геленджиком |trans-title=Italy arrested the property of the architect of the "palace" near Gelendzhik |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/08/2022/62ea89999a79475415e37643 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804110533/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/08/2022/62ea89999a79475415e37643 |archive-date=4 August 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Libero (newspaper)|Libero]]'' in November 2022, Cirillo said, "I started working in this country [Russia] in 1993, I have been registered with AIRE since 2003, and I even receive my pension in Russia. The thesis of my fictitious stay abroad, on which the entire indictment is based, is a real paradox".<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2022 |title=Lanfranco Cirillo: 'Io architetto in Russia, per l'Italia sono un ladro' |trans-title=Lanfranco Cirillo: 'I am an architect in Russia, for Italy I am a thief' |url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/personaggi/33994935/lanfranco-cirillo-architetto-russia-italia-ladro.html |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=Libero Quotidiano}}</ref>


=== Viticulture ===
=== Viticulture ===
In May 2016, Cirillo announced plans to build a winery and agrotourism project near [[Anapa]]. As of February of that year, he was a 50 percent owner of Anapa-based Shumrinka LLC, according to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Napalkova |first1=Anastasia |last2=Puzyrev |first2=Denis |date=23 May 2016 |title=Получивший гражданство от Путина архитектор займется виноделием в Анапе |trans-title=Architect, who received his citizenship from Putin, will start winemaking in Anapa |url=https://www.rbc.ru/business/23/05/2016/573c50659a794709207f8fe0 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404135028/https://www.rbc.ru/business/23/05/2016/573c50659a794709207f8fe0 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref> His business partner was Alexander Kislitsyn, the former head of Lukoil-Inform. The company's main activity is growing grapes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2016 |title=Архитектор "дворца Путина" займется виноделием в Анапе |trans-title=Architect of "Putin's Palace" will take up winemaking in Anapa |url=https://www.forbes.ru/news/321009-arkhitektor-dvortsa-putina-zaimetsya-vinodeliem-v-anape |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Forbes.ru}}</ref> Shumrinka has about 400 hectares of land near the village of Gai-Kodzor for vineyards and related infrastructure. In addition to viticulture, the partners also wanted to develop agrotourism. Cirillo said they planned to create "a small Tuscan village" near Anapa.
In May 2016, Cirillo announced plans to build a winery and [[Agritourism|agrotourism]] project near [[Anapa]]. As of February 2016, he was a fifty percent owner of [[Anapa]]-based Shumrinka LLC, according to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Napalkova |first1=Anastasia |last2=Puzyrev |first2=Denis |date=23 May 2016 |title=Получивший гражданство от Путина архитектор займется виноделием в Анапе |trans-title=Architect, who received his citizenship from Putin, will start winemaking in Anapa |url=https://www.rbc.ru/business/23/05/2016/573c50659a794709207f8fe0 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404135028/https://www.rbc.ru/business/23/05/2016/573c50659a794709207f8fe0 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref> His business partner was [[Alexander Kislitsyn]], the former head of [[Lukoil]]-Inform. Shumrinka owns approximately {{Convert|400|ha|acre}} of land near [[Gaikodzor]] for vineyards and related infrastructure; its main activity is growing grapes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2016 |title=Архитектор "дворца Путина" займется виноделием в Анапе |trans-title=Architect of "Putin's Palace" will take up winemaking in Anapa |url=https://www.forbes.ru/news/321009-arkhitektor-dvortsa-putina-zaimetsya-vinodeliem-v-anape |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Forbes.ru}}</ref> Cirillo said they planned to create "a small [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] village" and aimed to reach a production volume of one million bottles per year by 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2019 |title=Очень тихие вина: кому принадлежат VIP-винодельни в Краснодарском крае |trans-title=Very quiet wines: who owns VIP wineries in the Krasnodar region |url=https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/05/2019/5cd149069a7947ca87ccbb6a |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609230648/https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/05/2019/5cd149069a7947ca87ccbb6a |archive-date=9 June 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref> Meanwhile, the company has expanded its production and built a new warehouse. At the end of 2020, the winery became a partner of the Milstream winery as part of the Unique Russian Winemaking project.<ref name=":2" /> In 2021, Schumrinka wines ranked fiftieth in the ''[[Forbes]]'' ranking of the best wines in Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2021 |title=Лучшая часть: кубанские вина заняли более половины рейтинга Forbes |trans-title=The best part: Kuban wines took more than half of Forbes rating |url=https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/12/2021/61b8680a9a7947a30d1ddfa7 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816121125/https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/12/2021/61b8680a9a7947a30d1ddfa7 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
According to Cirillo, the company aimed to reach a production volume of 1 million bottles per year by 2021, producing 300-500 thousand bottles of the best brands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2019 |title=Очень тихие вина: кому принадлежат VIP-винодельни в Краснодарском крае |trans-title=Very quiet wines: who owns VIP wineries in the Krasnodar region |url=https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/05/2019/5cd149069a7947ca87ccbb6a |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609230648/https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/05/2019/5cd149069a7947ca87ccbb6a |archive-date=9 June 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref> Meanwhile, the company has expanded its production and built a new warehouse. At the end of 2020, the winery became a partner of the Milstream winery as part of the Unique Russian Winemaking project.<ref name=":2" />
In 2014, Cirillo received Russian citizenship after more than twenty years of residence in the country.<ref name=":3" /> He also owns three villas in [[Porto Cervo]] in [[Sardinia]].<ref name=":3" /> He lives between Moscow and Dubai, traveling the world for charity projects and polar expeditions. After the 2019 death of his daughter Elisabetta, a talented novelist, at the age of 33 from cancer, he decided to "do something for the next generation.".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gheda |first=Valentina |date=19 October 2019 |title=Morta Elisabetta Cirillo, raccontava in un blog la sua battaglia contro il cancro |trans-title=Died Elisabetta Cirillo, blogged about her battle with cancer |url=https://www.corriere.it/salute/sportello_cancro/19_ottobre_11/morta-elisabetta-cirillo-raccontava-un-blog-sua-battaglia-contro-cancro-0bf3e9d8-ec02-11e9-bbaa-5355d8cbf64b.shtml |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Corriere della sera}}</ref> He has campaigned for sustainability and environmental protection, issues that were close to her heart. Cirillo traveled to Africa to address the problem of rainforest deforestation in [[Guinea]].<ref name=":2" /> He is involved in an international foundation that researches climate change in the polar regions of the [[Arctic]] and [[Antarctic]].<ref name=":2" /> He is trying to bring the [[Pope]] to the [[North Pole]] to draw attention to the destruction of the Arctic.<ref name=":3" />


⚫
Cirillo is also a sailing enthusiast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2022 |title=L'uomo di fiducia dello "zar" che ha fatto bello il Cremlino |trans-title=The "czar's" trusted man who made the Kremlin beautiful |url=https://www.bresciaoggi.it/territori/brescia/l-uomo-di-fiducia-dello-zar-che-ha-fatto-bello-il-cremlino-1.9554855 |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Bresciaoggi}}</ref> His Fantastica team celebrated great success in the [[Melges 32]] class, winning the world title in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2016 |title=Поздравляем с днем рождения Ланфранко Чирилло! |trans-title=Happy birthday, Lanfranco Cirillo! |url=https://rusyf.ru/news/2126 |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=RUSYF (All-Russia Sailing Federation)}}</ref> As the main sponsor of the Russian team in the [[Finn class]], he has made a significant contribution to the preparation of the Russian [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] sailing team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2016 |title=Подведены итоги премии "PROyachting. ЧЕЛОВЕК ГОДА-2016" |trans-title=The results of the "PROyachting. MAN OF THE YEAR 2016" have been announced |url=https://www.korabel.ru/news/comments/podvedeny_itogi_premii_proyachting_chelovek_goda-2016.html |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Korabel.ru}}</ref> [[PROyachting]] named Cirillo "Patron of the Year" in 2016 for his support of the Russian Olympic sailing team. The [[Russian Sailing Federation]] is building a sailing center in [[Gelendzhik]] with his participation.<ref name=":2" /> 
In 2021, Schumrinka wines ranked 50th in the Forbes ranking.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2021 |title=Лучшая часть: кубанские вина заняли более половины рейтинга Forbes |trans-title=The best part: Kuban wines took more than half of Forbes rating |url=https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/12/2021/61b8680a9a7947a30d1ddfa7 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816121125/https://kuban.rbc.ru/krasnodar/14/12/2021/61b8680a9a7947a30d1ddfa7 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |website=RBC.ru}}</ref>


⚫
In an interview by [[TV Rain]], Cirillo said he supported the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], although he himself is a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chepel |first=Rodion |date=13 March 2016 |title=Он проектировал дворцы для Путина и олигархов. Первое видеоинтервью архитектора Ланфранко Чирилло |trans-title=He has designed palaces for Putin and the oligarchs. The first video interview with architect Lanfranco Cirillo |url=https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/reportazh/arhitektor_prezidenta-405338/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=tvrain.ru}}</ref> In Russia, such support is considered a sign of success.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}
== Philanthropy ==
Lanfranco Cirillo lives between Moscow and Dubai, traveling the world for charity projects and polar expeditions. After the illness and death of his daughter Elisabetta, he decided to "do something for the next generation".<ref name=":2" />


⚫
== References ==
Elisabetta Cirillo died in 2019 at the age of only 33 after a long serious illness. As a well-known author and blogger, she reported day after day about her life and her fight against cancer. In her posts, she told of the long days in the hospital, treatments, hopes and fears, successes and relapses. Despite her illness, she led an active and cosmopolitan life between New Zealand, South Africa, New York and Russia. Still in 2019, she got married.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gheda |first=Valentina |date=19 October 2019 |title=Morta Elisabetta Cirillo, raccontava in un blog la sua battaglia contro il cancro |trans-title=Died Elisabetta Cirillo, blogged about her battle with cancer |url=https://www.corriere.it/salute/sportello_cancro/19_ottobre_11/morta-elisabetta-cirillo-raccontava-un-blog-sua-battaglia-contro-cancro-0bf3e9d8-ec02-11e9-bbaa-5355d8cbf64b.shtml |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Corriere della sera}}</ref>
⚫
{{Reflist}}


{{Authority control}}
Since then and in memory of his late daughter, Lanfranco Cirillo has been campaigning for sustainability and environmental protection, issues that were close to her heart. Among other things, he is trying to bring the Pope to the North Pole to draw attention to the destruction of the Arctic.<ref name=":3" />


Cirillo is involved in an international foundation that researches climate change in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. To this end, the organization works with the Barneo base near the North Pole.<ref name=":2" /> Cirillo also traveled to Africa to address the problem of rainforest deforestation in Guinea on behalf of an initiative.<ref name=":2" />

== Interests ==
⚫
Lanfranco Cirillo is a sailing enthusiast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2022 |title=L'uomo di fiducia dello "zar" che ha fatto bello il Cremlino |trans-title=The "czar's" trusted man who made the Kremlin beautiful |url=https://www.bresciaoggi.it/territori/brescia/l-uomo-di-fiducia-dello-zar-che-ha-fatto-bello-il-cremlino-1.9554855 |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Bresciaoggi}}</ref> Proyachting named Cirillo "Patron of the Year" in 2016 for his support of the Russian Olympic sailing team, and the Russian Sailing Federation reported that a project for the "comprehensive development and creation of a sailing center in Gelendzhik" is under preparation with his participation.<ref name=":2" /> As the main sponsor of the Russian team in the Finn class, he has made a significant contribution to the preparation of the Olympic sailing team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2016 |title=Подведены итоги премии "PROyachting. ЧЕЛОВЕК ГОДА-2016" |trans-title=The results of the "PROyachting. MAN OF THE YEAR 2016" have been announced |url=https://www.korabel.ru/news/comments/podvedeny_itogi_premii_proyachting_chelovek_goda-2016.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Korabel.ru}}</ref> His Fantastica team celebrated great success in the Melges 32 class, winning the world title in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2016 |title=Поздравляем с днем рождения Ланфранко Чирилло! |trans-title=Happy birthday, Lanfranco Cirillo! |url=https://rusyf.ru/news/2126 |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=RUSYF (All-Russia Sailing Federation)}}</ref>

⚫
In an interview and video report by Dozhd TV channel, Cirillo declared to be a sponsor of the yacht club and to support the Russian Orthodox Church, although he himself is a Catholic. It was said that Cirillo, a Catholic, sponsors the Russian Church when necessary. In Russia, such support is also considered a sign of success. In general, the Italian-born gave the impression of a man who knows very well how life works in Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chepel |first=Rodion |date=13 March 2016 |title=Он проектировал дворцы для Путина и олигархов. Первое видеоинтервью архитектора Ланфранко Чирилло |trans-title=He has designed palaces for Putin and the oligarchs. The first video interview with architect Lanfranco Cirillo |url=https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/reportazh/arhitektor_prezidenta-405338/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=tvrain.ru}}</ref>

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== References ==
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{{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cirillo, Lanfranco}}
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Revision as of 01:16, 17 February 2024

Lanfranco Cirillo
Born (1959-05-30) 30 May 1959 (age 65)
Treviso, Italy
Nationality
  • Italian
  • Russian
Alma materCa' Foscari University of Venice
Occupations
  • Architect
  • interior designer
  • winemaker
PracticeMasterskaja architectural office

Lanfranco Cirillo (born 30 May 1959) is an Italian architect, residing in Moscow and Dubai. He was a founder and a co-owner of an architectural studio Masterskaja in Moscow.[1]

Early life

Cirillo was born in Venice, Italy in 1959.[2] He studied architecture and graduated from the Ca' Foscari University of Venice.[3] After university, he traveled.[3]

Career

Architecture

Initially, Cirillo worked in "Arab countries" for several years.[3] In 1991, a friend put him in touch with Vagit Alekperov, president of Lukoil, who "wanted a foreign architect to build him a dacha."[3] Cirillo says, "I started out doing homes. Then I met LUKoil through this man. I worked for Lukoil until 2002-03. I started building for Alekperov and for the deputies of LUKoil. I built on Sretensky Bulvar–interiors, offices, then dachas, offices, apartments."[3]

Cirillo moved to Moscow and worked for the Mascagni Ufficio furniture company.[4] In 1995, he opened his architectural studio, Masterskaja, on Arbat Street in the historic center of Moscow.[5][3] However, his Italian university diploma was not legally recognized in Russia, so he could not sign off on his own design projects.[3]

Cirillo's clients included Gazprom and Novatek.[3] In the special issue "Russia-Italia" of the business magazine Milano Finanza International, Cirillo reported that he earned $15 million in one year of business.[6] After that, Masterskaja's annual turnover was $30 to $40 million.[2] His staff included 120 architects.[4]

Cirillo became "a kind of lifestyle teacher to the nouveau riche", building and furnishing villas and dachas.[4] His products were turn-key, even including details such as wine glasses and Italian wines.[4] Other projects included decorating 100 metres (330 ft) yachts and designing a golden bathroom for an airplane.[4] According to Cirillo, he built offices and homes for 43 Russian billionaires.[7][4][3]

In 2016, Masterskaja reached the final round of the architectural competition for the design of the new parliamentary center in Moscow.[8] However, the idea of the parliamentary center was eventually abandoned.[2] Cirillo closed his architectural firm and stopped doing business in Russia.[4]

In 2021, Cirillo came to international attention when Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny posted the documentary film, Putin's Palace. History of World's Largest Bribe, to YouTube.[9][10][11][4] The documentary by the Anti-Corruption Foundation was about a 180,000 square feet (17,000 m2) neoclassic mansion on the Black Sea reportedly owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin; its construction is believed to have cost over one billion US dollars in 2009.[12][4][13] Although Cirillo designed the palace and selected its interior decor and furnishings, he was not involved in its construction.[4] He stated that his client was Stroygazconsulting, a company owned by a Jordanian businessman, which wanted a place for meetings and receptions.[4] Cirillo said, "Aesthetically speaking, it is very correct considering historical proportions. It is not kitsch. It's not overdone, but naturally it is rich, as it was supposed to be. And we used fantastic materials. I was proud of my job. It's very good 'Made in Italy.'"[4]

The controversy brought Cirillo to the attention of Italian tax authorities.[14] Since 2022, he has been under investigation for tax offenses in Italy from 2013 to 2019.[15] As part of their investigation, Italian authorities seized assets totaling 141 million euros from Cirillo's villa near Brescia, Italy, including a private helicopter, jewelry, and a 150-piece art collection with works by Paul Cézanne, Giorgio de Chirico, Amedeo Modigliani, and Pablo Picasso.[13][15]

In February 2022, Cirillo's lawyers said that he was able to provide documents and testimony to prove that his income was earned outside Italy and, therefore, should not have been taxed there.[16] In an interview with Libero in November 2022, Cirillo said, "I started working in this country [Russia] in 1993, I have been registered with AIRE since 2003, and I even receive my pension in Russia. The thesis of my fictitious stay abroad, on which the entire indictment is based, is a real paradox".[17]

Viticulture

In May 2016, Cirillo announced plans to build a winery and agrotourism project near Anapa. As of February 2016, he was a fifty percent owner of Anapa-based Shumrinka LLC, according to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.[18] His business partner was Alexander Kislitsyn, the former head of Lukoil-Inform. Shumrinka owns approximately 400 hectares (990 acres) of land near Gaikodzor for vineyards and related infrastructure; its main activity is growing grapes.[19] Cirillo said they planned to create "a small Tuscan village" and aimed to reach a production volume of one million bottles per year by 2021.[20] Meanwhile, the company has expanded its production and built a new warehouse. At the end of 2020, the winery became a partner of the Milstream winery as part of the Unique Russian Winemaking project.[2] In 2021, Schumrinka wines ranked fiftieth in the Forbes ranking of the best wines in Russia.[21]

Personal life

In 2014, Cirillo received Russian citizenship after more than twenty years of residence in the country.[4] He also owns three villas in Porto Cervo in Sardinia.[4] He lives between Moscow and Dubai, traveling the world for charity projects and polar expeditions. After the 2019 death of his daughter Elisabetta, a talented novelist, at the age of 33 from cancer, he decided to "do something for the next generation.".[2][22] He has campaigned for sustainability and environmental protection, issues that were close to her heart. Cirillo traveled to Africa to address the problem of rainforest deforestation in Guinea.[2] He is involved in an international foundation that researches climate change in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.[2] He is trying to bring the Pope to the North Pole to draw attention to the destruction of the Arctic.[4]

Cirillo is also a sailing enthusiast.[23] His Fantastica team celebrated great success in the Melges 32 class, winning the world title in 2013.[24] As the main sponsor of the Russian team in the Finn class, he has made a significant contribution to the preparation of the Russian Olympic sailing team.[25] PROyachting named Cirillo "Patron of the Year" in 2016 for his support of the Russian Olympic sailing team. The Russian Sailing Federation is building a sailing center in Gelendzhik with his participation.[2] 

In an interview by TV Rain, Cirillo said he supported the Russian Orthodox Church, although he himself is a Catholic.[26] In Russia, such support is considered a sign of success.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Albats, Evgeniya; Osipova, Olga; Beshley, Olga (27 April 2012). "Параллельная реальность - "Дворец Путина" и пределы Матрицы" [Parallel Reality - "Putin's palace" and the limits of the Matrix]. newtimes.ru. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Sechina, Anastasia; Sokolov, Vladimir; Kovalev, Alexei (3 February 2021). ""Я любил эту страну. И почему теперь я самый последний бандит, блин?" Архитектор "дворца Путина" Ланфранко Чирилло рассказал "Медузе" о своей карьере в России — и о том, как грустно она завершилась" ["I loved this country. And why am I the last bandit now, man?" Lanfranco Cirillo, the architect of "Putin's palace," told Meduza about his career in Russia - and how it ended sadly]. Meduza. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Balmforth, Tom; Schreck, Carl (October 29, 2015). "Meet The 'Poor Italian Architect' Who Designed 'Putin's Palace'". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Esch, Christian (24 February 2021). "The Man Who Built the Billion Dollar Palace". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  5. ^ Schreck, Karl; Sharogradsky, Andrej (20 January 2021). "Архитектор "Дворца Путина". Загадки карьеры Ланфранко Чирилло" [The architect of "Putin's Palace". The mysteries of Lanfranco Cirillo's career]. Радио Свобода. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  6. ^ Giuliano, Cristina (February–March 2015). "Il progettista del Presidente" [The President's Designer] (PDF). MF International (Russia–Italia): 46.
  7. ^ "Italian Police seize assets worth $144m—including works of art—from 'Putin's Palace' architect". 5 August 2022.
  8. ^ Sovina, Marina (3 August 2022). "В Италии арестовали имущество имеющего гражданство России архитектора" [In Italy the property of an architect with Russian citizenship was seized]. Lenta.ru.
  9. ^ Davis, Ben (26 January 2021). "Revelations About 'Putin's Palace' Helped Spark Widespread Protests in Russia. Here's What's Inside His Secret 'New Versailles'". Artnet. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  10. ^ Navalny, Alexei (17 January 2021). "Дворец для Путина. История самой большой взятки" [A Palace for Putin. The Story of the Biggest Bribe]. Youtube. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  11. ^ Navalny, Alexei (17 January 2021). "Дворец для Путина" [A Palace for Putin]. Navalny.com. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  12. ^ "'Putin's palace': Builders' story of luxury, mould and fake walls". BBC News. 12 February 2021.
  13. ^ a b Scheer, Nathan (2022-08-12). "Putin's Architect: Who Is Lanfranco Cirillo?". Rehs Galleries. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  14. ^ Goldstein, Caroline (5 August 2022). "Italian Authorities Just Seized $144 Million in Art From Vladimir Putin's Favorite Architect". Robb Report. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Putin's Architect: Who is Lanfranco Cirillo?". Rehs. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  16. ^ Polyakova, Viktoria (3 August 2022). "В Италии арестовали имущество архитектора "дворца" под Геленджиком" [Italy arrested the property of the architect of the "palace" near Gelendzhik]. RBC.ru. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ "Lanfranco Cirillo: 'Io architetto in Russia, per l'Italia sono un ladro'" [Lanfranco Cirillo: 'I am an architect in Russia, for Italy I am a thief']. Libero Quotidiano. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  18. ^ Napalkova, Anastasia; Puzyrev, Denis (23 May 2016). "Получивший гражданство от Путина архитектор займется виноделием в Анапе" [Architect, who received his citizenship from Putin, will start winemaking in Anapa]. RBC.ru. Archived from the original on 4 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. ^ "Архитектор "дворца Путина" займется виноделием в Анапе" [Architect of "Putin's Palace" will take up winemaking in Anapa]. Forbes.ru. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Очень тихие вина: кому принадлежат VIP-винодельни в Краснодарском крае" [Very quiet wines: who owns VIP wineries in the Krasnodar region]. RBC.ru. 14 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ^ "Лучшая часть: кубанские вина заняли более половины рейтинга Forbes" [The best part: Kuban wines took more than half of Forbes rating]. RBC.ru. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ Gheda, Valentina (19 October 2019). "Morta Elisabetta Cirillo, raccontava in un blog la sua battaglia contro il cancro" [Died Elisabetta Cirillo, blogged about her battle with cancer]. Corriere della sera. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  23. ^ "L'uomo di fiducia dello "zar" che ha fatto bello il Cremlino" [The "czar's" trusted man who made the Kremlin beautiful]. Bresciaoggi. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Поздравляем с днем рождения Ланфранко Чирилло!" [Happy birthday, Lanfranco Cirillo!]. RUSYF (All-Russia Sailing Federation). 30 May 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  25. ^ "Подведены итоги премии "PROyachting. ЧЕЛОВЕК ГОДА-2016"" [The results of the "PROyachting. MAN OF THE YEAR 2016" have been announced]. Korabel.ru. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  26. ^ Chepel, Rodion (13 March 2016). "Он проектировал дворцы для Путина и олигархов. Первое видеоинтервью архитектора Ланфранко Чирилло" [He has designed palaces for Putin and the oligarchs. The first video interview with architect Lanfranco Cirillo]. tvrain.ru. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
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