Vercelli, finishes the restoration of the Angel Tower, a symbol of the city

Restoration work at Vercelli’s Angel Tower, which began in the fall of 2018, is over: the building, named after the legend that an angel in ancient times saved a man who was falling from the tower, is one of the symbols of the city and was exceptionally opened to the public, who this weekend were able to climb the 220 steps to the large terrace at the top and see Vercelli from above. The climbs take place through small groups accompanied by guides, who will explain the history of the monument and the city during the visit.

In the coming days, technicians will assess what work remains to be completed, but the construction site, said architect Stefano Bagliani, who is in charge of the work, can be said to be 95 percent complete. The work was made possible thanks to a 500,000-euro investment by the city, with a contribution from the Compagnia di San Paolo, and was conservative in nature: the steps were rearranged, cement drippings dating back to the 1980s were eliminated, the roof was waterproofed, protective devices were added against the action of pigeons, the original decorations attacked by mold and deposits were recovered where possible, and a cleaning operation was carried out both inside and outside. The tower will also be equipped with new lighting: the installation will be carried out in the coming months. Also in the near future, discussions will be held on whether to provide for permanent and continuous opening to the public.

The Torre dell’Angelo is located in Piazza Cavour (the main square of the Piedmontese city), reaches a height of 39 meters and has medieval origins, although the elevation is the result of late 19th-century remodeling (although the appearance is quite similar to the ancient one: in fact, in prints from the 17th century, the tower is seen with a configuration similar to the one that can be admired nowadays). It was part of an ancient noble palace that no longer exists today, and whose ownership is unknown. It consists of a square base on which towers an octagonal-shaped body, concluded at the top by the superelevation added in the 19th century.

Pictured: piazza Cavour in Vercelli with, in the background, the Tower of the Angel. Ph. Credit

Vercelli, finishes the restoration of the Angel Tower, a symbol of the city

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