Florence Restores Giotto's Bell Tower
Florence, Italy is set to begin a major restoration of Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto), one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The project will preserve and enhance the 14th-century Gothic masterpiece, ensuring its continued appeal to both locals and tourists. The restoration represents a significant investment in preserving Florence's architectural heritage.
- This marks the first time the 84.7-meter-tall bell tower will undergo a complete restoration, though partial interventions have been documented since 1939. The project is estimated to cost over €7 million and is entirely funded by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore. - The restoration is scheduled to begin on March 9, 2026, and is expected to last approximately four years. A specially engineered scaffolding will be erected over four months, designed to minimize visual impact and allow tourists to continue climbing the tower's 414 steps during the work. - The intervention is considered urgent due to significant deterioration of the exterior marble surfaces—specifically the white Carrara, green Prato, and red Siena marble—caused by weathering and pollution. - While named for Giotto di Bondone, who began construction in 1334, he died in 1337 having only completed the first level. The work was continued by Andrea Pisano and ultimately completed in 1359 by Francesco Talenti. - The final design differs from Giotto's original plan, as architect Francesco Talenti opted to build the large panoramic terrace at the top instead of the intended 122-meter-high spire. - The tower's rich sculptural decorations include masterpieces of the 14th and 15th centuries. For conservation, the original statues by artists like Andrea Pisano and Donatello have been moved to the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and replaced with copies on the tower's exterior. - This restoration is part of a much larger investment of over €60 million by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore to restore and redevelop multiple buildings in the Piazza del Duomo, including the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and the Collegio Eugeniano.
