In 30 months, St. Peter’s Square to resemble the 1600s (Restoration project begins)

L'Osservatore Romano ^ | August 13, 2011

[NYer]

In thirty months, St. Peters Square will return to looking like that which was conceived and built in the second half of the 1600s. Work has already begun on the Bernini columns and soon they will be restored in all of their original color and brilliance; as one of the most important Baroque symbols, famous not only in architecture and urban planning – as a space dedicated to public religious ceremonies – but also as highly allegorical artistic representation of an ecumenical embrace of the universal Church to all people.

The immense construction site aims to restore all of the architectural and decorative elements of the Square: 284 columns, 92 pillars, 140 statues, 6 papal coat of arms, 1200 meters of balustrade and crown mouldings as well as 3400 square meters of paneled ceilings. Then there are the two celebrated twin fountains – the Clementina and the Gregoriana – and of course, the Egyptian obelisk in granite, 42 meters high, erected in 1586 by Sixtus V at the center of the Square. Even the 18th century lamps around the obelisk will be restored, according to the Director of Technical Services of the Governatorate, Pier Carlo Cuscianna.

This immense project, “made possible thanks to generous sponsors and Divine Providence,” said Cuscianna, “will take around two and a half years and will involve detailed direction from the Governatorate of the Vatican City State,” who will work with the engineers and architects in specific areas of planning, verifying and execution of the works.

Scientific, artistic, historical and monumental aspects will be handled by the Vatican Museums, directed by Antonio Paolucci and supported by a group of expert restorers, specialists and researchers from the Superintendence of Architectural Heritage of the Vatican City State. The duty of regulating the financing of the work and its execution will lie with the Direction of the Accounting of the State and the Juridical Office. The general restoration and works have been tendered to the Associazione Temporanea di Imprese: Italiana Costruzioni and Fratelli Navarra. Cuscianna emphasizes that the most significant contribution to the project has been given by the President of the Governatorate, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo who has, “steered clearly and firmly in these turbulent economic and financial times,” and the Secretary General, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano’ in “putting together this long and arduous interdisciplinary undertaking.”

[vladimir998]

Pregnant again? God bless you!

[jonascord]

"Gee, you’re kind of “glass-half-full” guy, huh?"

Actually, I'm the "The glass is twice the size it needs to be." kind of guy.

It's a failing sometimes, and an advantage when it counts. But that DOES sound like my ex-wife. You wouldn't BELIEVE what she thought was important.

[Tax-chick]

Thank you. Maybe one of my sons will be Pope and take me to Rome, before I’m too old to walk ;-).

[djf]

Won’t be authentic unless they have at least half a dozen ears that fell off of people with leprosy lying around.

Toss in a couple bodies of people who died from Syphilis and I MIGHT believe the recreation...

Hey! If you’re gonna do it, do it right!

[Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage]

The water in some of the fountains is potable. There is a lovely one outside of St Teresa of the Angels and Martyrs that everyone drinks out of. I bring a collapsible bottle with me when traveling in Europe for water.

[NYer]

Showed this post to my fiance and she said we need to go visit!

Absolutely! But wait until the work is completed. Also plan a trip to Florence and Assisi. Both will move your hearts and souls.

Florence

Assisi

[jonascord]

Apparently, the Inquisition in Rome was much less far reaching than to one in Spain.

I was going to suggest that they grab the occasional German tourist and set him on fire as a demo for the kiddies, to demonstrate the fate of all followers of Luther, but if they only torched 1250 out of 51,000...

However, keep in mind: " If you build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a little while. If you set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

[djf]

Lol!

A couple hot heretics to keep the faithful warm, eh??

[Campion]

The Germans gave Rome a pretty good going over themselves in the 16th Century, actually.

Sack of Rome (1527)

[jonascord]

I also recall two other snippy little spats. One in ‘16, and another in ‘43.

[MarkBsnr]

“Please don’t tell me that they are in the stalls...”

No, silly, that’s where you find the wine bars!

Hmm. Novus Ordo is everywhere.

[MarkBsnr]

I’m pregnant again

Productive!!!! How many does this make? By golly we Catholics are NOT going to be drowned in a sea of Muslims. Congratulations. I've managed six myself thus far...

[bronxville]

I’d take the Spanish Inquision trails any day over the 500 yr (900yr) Irish “take over” by the British.
Elizabeth I: The Irish problem is solved - they’re dying like rats in the street. The Irish were lorded over by psycopathic, interbred, thieving, murdering, occult practicing uppercrusts - Magistrates and Lord Deputies who despised the Irish Catholics. One of them was called “Burn-Chapel” Whaley on account of his penchant for setting fire to Catholic churches.

At least the Spanish got a decent trial and many more got to live than were executed. The Irish could only have wished for an Inquision.

[Tax-chick]

Ten.

As I mentioned on another thread, Moslems (with their custom of first-cousin marriage) have a lower natural fertility rate than we who come from a varied gene pool. If they have growth and we don’t, it’s simply because of prioritizing.

[MarkBsnr]

I’m pregnant again

Productive!!!! How many does this make?

Ten.

We are not worthy. We are not worthy

[Tax-chick]

Heh. There was a lady with 13 at the homeschool association middle-school girls’ party last Saturday. It was fun telling my daughters, “And you thought YOU had too many brothers!”