Pisa Leaning Tower re-opens doors after a long makeover


For a few days now, people visiting Piazza del Duomo in Pisa have stared at the amazing sight before their eyes: more gleaming than usual, now more than ever it deserves the expression Piazza dei Miracoli(literally Squares of Miracles) that the well-known Italian writer Gabriele D’Annunzio created for describing the wonderful contrast of the white monuments against the bright green grass. And what except theLeaning tower of Pisa could be the unquestioned protagonist of the Square, which emphasize even more this beautiful and contrasting view?

 

 

In fact, a series of interventions to strengthen the tower has succeeded in getting a 40 cm leaning reduction of the most famous tower in the world in 2001 and now renovation experts have just come to the end of their works for restoring the internal and external marbles to their original white colour. These finicking renovation works were carried out over the last few years, even during the night! Yes, you’ve read it right! To let visitors go up theLeaning Tower during the usual opening hours, stairs renovation works were performed during the night.

A huge pictures campaign of the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro (Central Institute of Restoration) has well-documented the tower before, during and after these renovation works, which we want to give you more details of: about 25000 quoins have been restored, covering an area of 7335 square metres; the tower makeover was carried out during a eight year span, with renovation works beginning from the belfry in 2002 and then continuing on restoration of the seven architectural orders from February 2004 to December 2010.

The renovation works have just come to the end and the Leaning Tower has just officially re-opened doors in May 20th and 21st and an international conference, The conservation of the most important European Cathedrals, has been organized for celebrating this event. Representatives of the most important European Cathedrals took part in the conference, among which we would like to pint out St Peter’s Basilica, Paris Notre Dame Cathedral,Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Aachen Cathedral, Barcelona Sagrada Familia, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Westminster Abbey in London. Restoration histories and experiences  of some of the most renowned buildings in the world were then discussed and compared with the just-ended Leaning Tower renovation works.

That said, there’s nothing left for me to say but giving you good news: anticipating the tower usual evening opening hours, l’Opera della Primaziale Pisana, in collaboration with Pisatour Tourist guide Association and Impegno e Futuro Cooperative, organizes extraordinary late opening hours (tourists will have the chance to visit the tower till 11 p.m.) and guided tours to Camposanto Monumentale (monumental cemetery) for learning about its history and frescoes. During the second world war, in fact, all frescoes were seriously damaged. After the war, the restoration work began and now the restored frescoes are gradually being transferred to their original locations to restore its pre-war appearance.

Enjoy your visit!

 


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Commenti (1) | June 20, 2011

One Response to “Pisa Leaning Tower re-opens doors after a long makeover”

  1. Dreama Says:
    December 2nd, 2011 at 05:59

    Wow! That’s a really neat awnser!

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