Articles

Other Italy articles »

Help in sight for Rome's monuments
Rome Daily American, January 26, 1986

Rome – In two months time Mayor Nicola Signorello will launch an international campaign to save Rome's historic monuments from ruin.

The government is appealing to the world to contribute funds to save the city's artistic heritage.

The proposal, presented to Council last November, has yet to be approved due to a series of problems, says Councillor Corrado Bernardo. "We're still in the planning stage and crucial areas still need to be studied before we can have a vote."

Private institutions and countries will be asked to take a church, building or famous fountain under their protective wing, explains Bernado. "We've already made some contacts through the Ministry of External Affairs and we're working together with the UN and CEE."

Is Rome on sale like Venice? Will New York adopt the Trevi fountain?

"It's an entertaining idea," comments architect Bruno Zevi. "What's important is that no American think of adopting the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Or worse, the palace of justice. Certainly this proposal seems like an auction."

At all costs, Rome wants to avoid the financial problems that arose in Venice, says Zevi. "A board should be set up to manage the funds efficiently."

The campaign will be handled in a low-key fashion, without posters or commercials.

"Rome is not our heritage," declared Signorello. "What we're proposing is a project to restore the value of the city for every citizen of the world."

"I didn't realize that our historic monuments were orphans," retorted Rome's former Communist mayor, Ugo Vetere. "The problem lies always with the State. Instead of making us look like beggars in search of a father wearing stars and stripes, they could finance one less missile project per year. This way there would be sufficient funds to restore our works of art."

Local administrators still have to establish some protocol of understanding on certain rights and responsibilities required from the 'parent nations'.

"If this proposal works, it will bring about a necessary transfusion," says Giovanni Di Geso, supervisor for the Beni monuments. "Now that the Brasini law has been eliminated, monument restoration will be given less priority."

"But the fact we're heading down this road is a clear indication of the incapacity of our central government," Di Geso adds. "It confirms, that despite our strengths, we're incapable of maintaining our cultural institutions."