Long restoration of the Rialto Bridge completed. But there is controversy over the commemorative plaque

The restoration work involving one of the symbols of Venice has been concluded: the Rialto Bridge, the famous arch spanning the Grand Canal, built in 1590 by Antonio da Ponte. The monument was the subject of a major redevelopment, the first since its construction, thanks to the support of Renzo Rosso ’s OTB group supported to the tune of 5 million euros. Started in June 2015, the work involved both the 16th-century artifact and the architectural work of the realtine area with the arrangement of the sub-porticos. On the occasion of the restoration, the first real study in four hundred years since its creation was also carried out regarding the entire structure and its construction and evolutionary phases.

“Another successful example of public-private cooperation,” it was stressed in the institutional speeches, “which contributes to restoring a symbolic place of the city to its former splendor. Thanks to those who, having economic availability, with intelligence and civic sense, feel the need to protect and make usable a renewed Rialto Bridge, reference point and vital ganglion of relations between people, offices, businesses, with its living and pulsating market. An important sign of rebirth and encouragement for workers, a bridge of hope toward a new recovery.” Thanks went to all the workers, artisans, restorers, and municipal technicians who worked to restore light to one of the jewels of Venetian architecture.

The project drawn up for the restoration was aimed at maximum preservation of the material by completing the work necessary to halt the deterioration and restore the original image of the monument. The construction site was the result of careful logistical planning, aimed at ensuring maximum accessibility of the bridge, even during the period of the work, thanks to scaffolding (5500 square meters of it was set up) that allowed for the smooth running of commercial activities and pedestrian transit.

However, not everything went smoothly: vigorous controversy was stirred up over the large (about one meter by half a meter) commemorative plaque. In fact, a bronze plate was installed on the top of the bridge, in English only, celebrating Renzo Rosso and his OTB: “OTB and Renzo Rosso funded the restoration of the Rialto Bridge returning it to its magnificence for the world to enjoy.” The first to criticize the plaque was the Venessia.com association, which released a photomontage with the Diesel logo affixed to the photo of the plaque (Rosso is the patron of the well-known clothing brand). The size of the plaque, which was deemed excessive, its appearance (similar to the stumbling stones that commemorate victims of Nazism), its aesthetic impact, and the fact that it is only in English, and therefore not aimed at the Venetian community, were all criticized. Also highly critical is the association Mi Riconosci: “The plaque dedicated to Renzo Rosso on top of the Rialto Bridge,” said the association, “marks a new high for concessions made to sponsors. And a law that, in a democracy, allows individual celebrations in public monuments is a simply wrong law.”

Rosso, in turn, intervened, saying that “making a plaque is part of the history of monuments, whenever you do something it is tradition to leave a symbol because then it remains in history. We only gave the inscription, how it is made was decided at the time by the municipality and superintendence. There will always be someone who has something to say. We look at the beauty of what has been done and to those who dispute I say why don’t you do it?” Too little, however, to quell the controversy. In fact, Rosso probably threw further gasoline on the fire. And many are now wondering if such a celebration was really necessary.

Ph.Credit

Long restoration of the Rialto Bridge completed. But there is controversy over the commemorative plaque

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