SIENA - New life for the Fonte Gaia in Piazza del Campo in Siena, an admired sculpture by Tito Sarrocchi - who replaced the original by Jacopo della Quercia - and one of the symbols of the city of the Palio, returned to the city after the restoration.
It took a construction site of over 1,000 hours (October 2023-February 2024) and 20 weeks of non-stop work by the staff coordinated by the restorer Stefano Landi.
It was also a 'site-school' complex of the Siena Building School for the recovery of the imposing masterpiece.
Contributions from the MPS Foundation, the Municipality of Siena and participation of businesses and citizens.
This restoration enriches the history of Fonte Gaia which, by Tito Sarrocchi, replaced the original Fonte built by Jacopo della Quercia between 1409 and 1419 in Piazza del Campo in 1869 and placed under shelter.
"The Fonte Gaia, at the center of the square and of the life of the Sienese, has been the subject of the precious work of experts and technicians in previous months who, with their action, have given new light to the marbles and sculptures of Tito Sarrocchi", underlines the mayor of Siena Nicoletta Fabio.
"The work has been valorised in its essential principles", says the restorer Stefano Landi who followed the recovery project.
The traditional chemical and mechanical methods have been joined by other innovative ones, such as El.En's lasers, which have made it possible to remove the most stubborn concretions while safeguarding the oxalate layers, the 'patina of time'.
Furthermore, "to aggregate the washed out and eroded surfaces, technologies based on nano-lime were used; gluing of the fractures, detached portions and additions was carried out; grouting and injections in the joints to compact and avoid the access of rainwater. A protective and a biocide to limit the aggression of atmospheric agents".
"Once again the Siena Building School - states the president Giannetto Marchettini - has assumed the responsibility of conserving, safeguarding and restoring the beauty that the history, architecture and art of our territory tell".
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