Opera magazine
2023-02-08
The restoration of the polychrome mosaics of the dome of the Baptistery of Florence has begun, and will last 6 years
Realizzato un imponente e innovativo cantiere di restauro (a forma di fungo) con una base di appoggio di soli 63 mq e in alto una superficie calpestabile di 630 mq
Following the completion of the impressive scaffolding that will allow for the restoration of the magnificent 13th-century gold-leaf polychrome mosaics covering the dome of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Florence, the initial phases of the six-year intervention will commence. Over a century after the last restoration in 1898-1907, the over 1,000 square meters of mosaics - created with 10 million polychrome tesserae ranging in size from 5 to 20 mm per side - will undergo a restoration aimed at recovering their structural stability and adhesion to the vault, halting degradation, and restoring the luster of the gold leaf and the vivid colors of the glass tesserae.
For the first time, the public will be able to see the mosaics of the dome up close, created based on preparatory drawings by artists such as Cimabue and Coppo di Marcovaldo. Alongside the grand scene of the Last Judgment, the four registers depict the Stories of Genesis, of Joseph, of Christ, and of the Baptist. This unique and unrepeatable experience will only be possible during the restoration years. Visits will begin on February 24, 2023, by booking on the Opera's website: https://duomo.firenze.it/it/630/visite-esclusive.
Florence's Baptistery is undergoing a magnificent restoration. After over a century, the stunning gold-leaf mosaics adorning the dome of Florence's Baptistery are set to be restored. This ambitious project, funded by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, involves a six-year intervention aimed at bringing these medieval masterpieces back to their original splendor.
An innovative scaffolding system: To carry out this delicate work, a special mushroom-shaped scaffold has been constructed to cover the entire dome without obstructing visitors' views. Thanks to this cutting-edge structure, experts can access every part of the mosaics and assess the condition of each individual tessera.
A journey through time: The restoration is not merely a conservation project but also a unique opportunity to study these mosaics in depth and uncover new details about their history. Experts will be able to reconstruct the techniques used by the ancient masters and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of these works of art.
MOSAICS OF THE BAPTISTERY VAULT
Over 1,000 square meters of gold-leaf mosaics 10 million polychrome tiles Tesserae size ranging from 5 to 20 mm per side
RESTORATION SCAFFOLDING
Scaffold height: 31.5 m. Scaffold diameter: 25.50 m. Usable surface area at the top: 618 sq m. Ground area occupied: 63 sq m. Number of elements used: 8,150. Days of work to build the scaffold: 40 500 sq m of screen-printed micro-perforated fabric. Public staircase with landing at 17.5 m. Construction staircase with landing at 29.5 m.
PHASES OF THE BAPTISTRY OF FLORENCE RESTORATION
2014-2015: Restoration of the exterior facades and roof Funded by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore with 2 million euros. 2017-2022: Restoration of the eight interior walls, including the apse, funded by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore with 2.6 million euros. 2022: Design and construction of the restoration scaffolding and archival research. 2023-2028: Restoration of the mosaics of the vault.
