Construction sites and restorations

Piazza del Duomo Renews Itself: History, Culture, and Social Responsibility

The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore has planned an extensive program of interventions for 2026 and the following three years, involving the monuments and buildings of Piazza del Duomo. With a total investment of over 60 million euros, the institution aims not only to safeguard and enhance the historical-artistic heritage, as per its statutory mission, but also to generate a positive social impact on residency within the historic center of Florence.

Key Projects at a Glance

*Includes the acquisition of Palazzo Compagni and construction costs.

The Restoration of Giotto's Bell Tower

For the first time in its history, the monument will undergo a full restoration. The intervention has become essential and can no longer be postponed to secure the external marble surfaces (White, Prato Green, and Cintoia Red) that show signs of degradation.

- Innovative Scaffolding: A feat of high engineering designed to avoid limiting the internal visitor route or the use of the rooftop panoramic terrace. The monument will remain open to the public throughout the works.

- Phased Restoration: The site will operate from the top down. As each phase is completed, the scaffolding will be mechanically moved lower, progressively revealing the restored sections to the city.

- Timeline: Scaffolding assembly will take 4 months (ending mid-July 2026) , followed by the actual restoration works, which will continue over the next 4 years approximately.

New Institutional Headquarters: Collegio Eugeniano

The historic building located between Via dello Studio and Via del Corso covers approximately 1,600 sqm. Dating back to the 14th century, it once housed the Studium Generalis—the first Florentine university. It is now set to become the new institutional headquarters of the Opera.

- Purpose: By June 2026, all offices—currently spread across various buildings in Piazza del Duomo—and the company canteen will be relocated here.

- Social Impact: Relocating the headquarters will free up several properties owned by the Opera. These spaces will be converted into residential rentals, supporting efforts to counteract the depopulation of the city’s historic center.

Expansion of the Opera del Duomo Museum

Following the acquisition of Palazzo Compagni in 2023, the Museum will nearly double its surface area, growing from 6,000 to approximately 11,000 sqm.

- New Services: The project (entrusted to Guicciardini & Magni Architetti) includes a more organic visitor route, temporary exhibition rooms, a conference hall, multipurpose spaces, a café with a garden, and new physical and digital visitor services.

- Cultural Preservation: The purchase has removed a prestigious monumental building in the heart of the historic center from the speculative real estate market, dedicating it entirely to cultural activities.

"The Opera is assuming not only a cultural responsibility today, but a social one. Beyond the conservation and restoration of the monumental complex—with an investment of 60 million euros across these three sites—we aim to protect the presence of residents in the historic center. We are assuming responsibility for the city's building heritage and are evaluating the purchase of further historic buildings to be used for housing."  

— Luca Bagnoli, President of the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore.