(by John Phillips)
(ANSA) Rome, August 28 - The disclosure that lightning
struck the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua three weeks ago sent shock
waves through the art world though its famed frescoes painted by
Giotto evidently were unharmed.
The bolt of lightning struck the facade of the chapel
Aug.9, the mayor of Padua, Massimo Bitonci, confirmed, after the
incident was disclosed by a local cultural association, the
'Amissi del Piovego'.
The cross perched atop the chapel was seriously damaged
and has been removed while the electrical system including
lights, security alarms and humidity control were knocked out
temporarily by a short circuit following the bolt's hit.
Padua's Alderman for monumental building, Fabrizio Boron,
insisted that no major damage to the structure of the building
had resulted, however.
"I am not aware of damage to the facade except for perhaps
things that already needed maintaining and that had already
deteriorated," he said, "certainly there was no damage about
which to be concerned".
Nevertheless Giotto expert Prof. Giuliano Pisani, a former
alderman for Cultural heritage in Padua, was incandescent over
the apparent cover-up of the affair.
"It is absolutely scandalous that we only learned about
this collapse from a citizens' association and not from the town
hall," he fulminated.
Bitonci said that assessments still are being done of the
extent of the damage and cost of repairs.
He dismissed the criticism over the failure to publicise the
act of God.
"The city government, the alderman and the mayor were
alerted immediately about this fact but one was waiting for an
expert examination by the specialized firm before giving out the
news," he said.
Stone from the façade of the chapel was reportedly partially
damaged and an iron cross - which Pisani said dates from the
chapel's earliest days - was removed after it was in danger of
falling from the damaged façade.
The chapel, which was commissioned by banker Enrico
Scrovegni, contains two very large fresco cycles covering three
walls from floor to ceiling.
These depict the Life of Christ and the Life of the Virgin
and are considered to be among the most important masterpieces
of Western art. The site has also been known as the Arena Chapel
because it was constructed by Scrovegni on land that was
adjacent to a historic Roman arena.
The chapel has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
in 2002, underwent extensive renovations.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
