Il restauro

The restoration of the monumental halls is particularly complex due to the presence of numerous decay agents and the layers of interventions that have followed one another over time. The wooden ceilings, in particular, suffered from past water leaks, which caused the wooden paneling to warp and created numerous dark stains, especially around the perimeter; furthermore, the gilded surfaces were covered by an opaque varnish.

As for the walls, Sala del Mappamondo showed extensive detachment of the plaster from the masonry—some of which had been poorly repaired during a previous intervention—along with acrylic overpaintings that completely obscured the original colors, and a dense layer of dust and compact deposits. The situation in Sala del Mappamondo is even more intricate: here, the walls are true palimpsests, where large 15th-century fragments are overlaid by later interventions, particularly those from the 20th century carried out under the guidance of Federico Hermanin.

In strict adherence to the methodological principles of Italian restoration theory, the project is designed to restore full legibility to the decorative apparatus without erasing the traces of the building's history. By the end of April 2026, work on the two ceilings was nearly complete. The cleaning operations, in particular, yielded surprising results, bringing back the original luminosity of the gold and restoring depth and brilliance to the overall composition.

Simultaneously, activities on Sala delle Battaglie’s walls are underway, including the consolidation of the plaster, surface cleaning, and the reintegration of losses. Work on Sala del Mappamondo’s walls will begin shortly, followed by the floors; Sala Regia will be the final room to undergo restoration.