A major restoration of Giotto’s Bell Tower will begin on 9 March as part of a €60 million investment programme for Florence’s cathedral complex, the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore announced.
The project marks the first complete restoration of the 14th-century campanile, which stands beside the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Works will focus on the external surfaces. The white, green and red marble revetment has deteriorated over time due to atmospheric pollution and weathering.
Specialist technicians will carry out a detailed cleaning to remove surface crusts and pollutants. The intervention also includes a comprehensive structural assessment, with checks on decorative features and the sculptural apparatus. The original statues now reside in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The copies currently displayed on the exterior will undergo maintenance to ensure their preservation.
The bell tower works form part of a wider four-year strategy covering the entire Piazza del Duomo complex. Funding will also support conservation at the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Brunelleschi’s Dome, alongside ongoing maintenance of the cathedral itself.
The Opera described the €60 million allocation as one of the largest self-financed conservation efforts in Italy. Scaffolding will be erected over four months and installed in phases from the top down. This will allow restored sections to be unveiled progressively. Despite the works, visitors will continue to have access to the interior. That includes the climb up 414 steps to the panoramic terrace.
