ONLAY FLOOR
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute – VenICE
Restoration and consolidation of the inlay floor
- Client: Seminario Patriarcale di Venezia
- Project: Arch. Giuditta Russo – Ing. Davide Beltrame
- Direction of works: Arch. Giuditta Russo – Ing. Davide Beltrame
The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice stems from the desire of the city of Venice to end the 1630 plague. The building works of the Basilica started in 1631, following the project of famous architect Baldassarre Longhena. The Basilica is fascinating for its majesty and for the devotional relationship between the church and the city. Every year, on the 21st of Novembers, day of the holy patron, the citizens go on a pilgrimage in honor of this relationship.
The restoration and consolidation works involved the inlay marble floor of the Sanctuary, High Altar and Choir. Over 200 square meters and 4500 pieces of marble were removed, restored inside the Basilica, and put back in place at the end of the works. While the inlay pieces were being accurately restored, a floor heating system was being installed at the base the pavement.
The operations of documentation, posting and repositioning of the marble inlays required discipline, precision and a careful planning of the work phases. Everyone’s experience allowed for a successfully accurate restoration in a limited time period. The restoration of the pavement honored the specific features of the marble inlay, restoring its original splendor and better conservation conditions.
