Officials built a scaffolding platform for art conservators, which will also allow a small number of visitors to view the ceiling mosaics
Visitors to one of Florence’s most emblematic monuments, the Baptistery of San Giovanniacross the street from the city’s Duomo cathedral, will have the opportunity to see its ceiling mosaics up close, as restoration work is underway.
Rather than restrict public access during the dome’s six-year cleanup, officials have constructed a scaffolding platform for art conservators, which will also allow a small number of visitors to view the ceiling mosaics.
“We had to turn this occasion into an opportunity and make it even more accessible and usable for the public. In this way visitors will have direct contact with the mosaics,” said Samuele Caciagli, the architect in charge of the restoration site.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Caciagli called the new scaffolding tour of the baptistery dome “a unique opportunity that is unlikely to be repeated in the coming decades.”
The Baptistery of Florence, also known as the Baptistery of Saint John -octagonal in shape- is one of the most visible monuments of Florence. The exterior of the church is covered in white Carrara marble and green Prato marble in geometric patterns, typical of Florentine architecture. On three sides there are three large doors which are famous for their decorations.
The South Doors are the oldest, built by Andrea Pisano around 1330. The doors consist of 28 four-leaf panels, depicting scenes from the life of Saint John. The North Doors were built by Lorenzo Ghiberti (1403-1424) and tell “Stories of the Life and Passion of Christ” from the New Testament.
Inside, however, there are impressive mosaics, dating back to the 13th century and created using around 10 million pieces of stone and glass on 1,000 square meters of dome and wall.
The Baptistry of St. John and its mosaics have undergone previous restorations over the centuries, many of which were ineffective or even damaging. During a failed attempt in 1819, an entire section of the mosaics peeled off. Persistent roof water damage was not resolved until 2014-2015.
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I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
