Paul Keenan
The major project to restore and refurbish features in St Peter’s Square, begun in 2008, will be completed in time for the Easter canonisations of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII.
Writing in, Vatican Museums director, Prof. Antonio Paolucci, who oversaw the project to restore the square’s facade, including 284 columns and 140 statues, confirmed that the work is on track to finish in time for the event set to draw millions of pilgrims.
“The restoration consisted of cleaning all the surfaces and reviewing and strengthening reliefs and above all statues, often detached, broken and in several cases threatening to fall,” said Prof. Paolucci Paolucci. “Various protective systems and anti-bird systems have also been put in place so as to guarantee the future conservation of the entire complex.”
The scaffolding which has stood at the colonnade for the last five years was taken down at the end of February as that phase of the refurbishment was completed.
