Milan Duomo Program Restores Statue

- The "Adopt a Statue" program was initiated in 2020 by the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, the organization founded in 1387 to oversee the construction and maintenance of the cathedral. This initiative is a continuation of previous fundraising efforts, which included opportunities to adopt the Duomo's gargoyles and spires. - The Milan Duomo is adorned with over 3,400 statues, the highest number on any building in the world. The constant need for preservation and restoration of this vast collection led to the creation of the adoption program for sculptures that have been removed from the cathedral for safety and conservation reasons. - Donors, which can be individuals or companies, can support the restoration of a statue for an annual fee of 25,000 euros for a period of up to three years. In return for their contribution, patrons may receive tax benefits and the opportunity to have their name listed in the Duomo's official donor register. - The restoration of the "Bearded Saint with Book," a 15th-century sculpture, primarily involved a surface cleaning to remove a dark layer of crust caused by air pollution. The process for such restorations typically takes between one and three months to complete. - As part of the adoption agreement, restored statues can be loaned to the sponsoring donor for display. The "Bearded Saint with Book" is currently exhibited at the headquarters of FNM, a Lombardy-based transport company that sponsored its restoration. - Other sculptures that have been restored through the "Adopt a Statue" program include a 16th-century depiction of David, a sculpture of Samson and the Lion, and a statue of Saint Matthew the Apostle. - All of the Duomo's statues are carved from a distinctive pink-hued white marble that comes from the Candoglia quarries near Lake Maggiore, a source that has been exclusively used for the cathedral since its construction began in the 14th century. - The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo has preselected approximately 30 statues that are currently in storage as eligible candidates for the adoption program, based on their condition and historical significance.