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Polishing a Crown Jewel of the Basilica
By Elizabeth Lev
ROME, JUNE 23, 2005 (Zenit.org).- During the hot Roman summer, while the inhabitants escape to the beach, the city restorers get to work.
Road repair, facade repainting and church restoration intensify as schools get out and the city empties. Unfortunately for tourists to Rome, this can become an annoyance as souvenir photos feature scaffolding or orange marking tape.
The Vatican is no exception. Those who visited Rome in the summer of 1999 probably have indelible memories of torn-up streets, endless scaffolds and, most disappointingly, the celebrated facade of St. Peter’s Basilica shrouded in steel and canvas.
All the works were unveiled for Jubilee Year 2000 revealing a city more beautiful than ever before, but that was only the beginning for St. Peter’s. Over the last five years the sides of the church have been cleaned, new marble statues added to the niches and the excavated area under the basilica has been restructured.
This month, the crowning glory of St. Peter’s is preparing to get a face-lift. The lantern, bronze orb and cross surmounting the great dome will be cleaned and restored. Visitors this summer will see the gleaming bronze ball trapped in a sort of giant bird cage.
The Fabbrica di San Pietro – the workshop of St. Peter’s – is directing this project which will send . . . .
Full article
By Elizabeth Lev
ROME, JUNE 23, 2005 (Zenit.org).- During the hot Roman summer, while the inhabitants escape to the beach, the city restorers get to work.
Road repair, facade repainting and church restoration intensify as schools get out and the city empties. Unfortunately for tourists to Rome, this can become an annoyance as souvenir photos feature scaffolding or orange marking tape.
The Vatican is no exception. Those who visited Rome in the summer of 1999 probably have indelible memories of torn-up streets, endless scaffolds and, most disappointingly, the celebrated facade of St. Peter’s Basilica shrouded in steel and canvas.
All the works were unveiled for Jubilee Year 2000 revealing a city more beautiful than ever before, but that was only the beginning for St. Peter’s. Over the last five years the sides of the church have been cleaned, new marble statues added to the niches and the excavated area under the basilica has been restructured.
This month, the crowning glory of St. Peter’s is preparing to get a face-lift. The lantern, bronze orb and cross surmounting the great dome will be cleaned and restored. Visitors this summer will see the gleaming bronze ball trapped in a sort of giant bird cage.
The Fabbrica di San Pietro – the workshop of St. Peter’s – is directing this project which will send . . . .
Full article