Quartiere Pianello

On 29 June 2007, the day we celebrate our Patron Saint, Saint Pietro, in Quartiere Pianello, our international  Save San Pietro fundraising appeal was officially launched.

Members of Quartiere Pianello, during the past four years, worked to raise funds with which to launch our campaign depositing E35,000.00 into a special fundraising account with the Bank of Monte Paschi of Siena.

This is a fraction of the enormous cost of restoration of the church of San Pietro, the art work of Ventura Salimbeni, the two valuable organs, statuary and furnishings, but, in faith, with a dedicated committee and a hardworking team of co-ordinators we are determined to do something extraordinary in our neighbourhood and our village.

Beautiful and historic buildings like the church of San Pietro belong to the whole world, they have no confines, no owners, they belong to everyone regardless of race, religion or ideals.

Work has begun. A team of experts in the restoration of historic buildings arrived in Montalcino on the 22 June 2007. This is specialised work needing careful, knowledgeable and precise workers, essential to cope with the problems associated with saving a 1000 year old building for which no archival drawings or plans exist.

22 June 2007 -  Arrival of restoration experts.

29 June 2007 -  Official Launch of “Save San Pietro” International Appeal

5 July 2007 – Erection of scaffolding begins

PROGRESS TO DATE

11 DICEMBER:   Contracts signed for partial works to the Church interiors; Euro 121.000,00 plus taxes. 

15  DICEMBRE:  Restoration of roof now completed.

16 DICEMBRE:  Installed the new iron flag, wind indicator, on the roof

17 DICEMBRE:   Weather proofing of lower tunnel adjacent to the garden, now completed.

22 DICEMBRE :  Dismantleing of scaffolding used to restore the roof now completed.

7 GENNAIO 2008: Scaffolding installed in the interior of the Church in preparation for works to commence.

9 GENNAIO:  Removal of the two bells from the tower and transported to Florence - to be restored by specialist restorer, Nicola Salvioli.

15 GENNAIO:  Initiated specific, techical research to determine whether any original frescos existed below the painted surfaces of the interior walls.

22 GENNAIO:  Commenced internal works by removing the damaged plaster of the vaulted ceilings starting with the areas nearest the main entrance.

24 GENNAIO:  Commenced restoring the inner walls in order to remove the damage caused by rising damp and in doing so, discovered two hidden doors!