by Redazione 13/10/2026
Categories: Ancient art / Disclaimer
Thanks to a fundraising campaign—supported in part by actor Enzo Decaro—three 16th-century statues by Antonio Begarelli have been restored in the Basilica of the Polirone Abbey in San Benedetto Po. The restored works will be unveiled on October 16.
Solidarity meets art and restores a heritage for the community to rediscover. In San Benedetto Po, in the Basilica of the Polirone Abbey, three 16th-century terracotta sculptures by Antonio Begarelli have been restored to their former glory thanks to a restoration project made possible by the participation of citizens, benefactors, organizations, and businesses. The statues of Adam, Eve, and David with Goliath’s head will be unveiled on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., during the event “La bellezza ritrovata” (Rediscovered Beauty), an event open to the public. The ceremony is sponsored by the Committee for the Preservation and Restoration of Artistic Heritage in San Benedetto Po, chaired by Maurizio Lapponi. During the event, the restored works will be unveiled and the conservation work carried out will be explained, with a special thank you to all those who contributed to the project.
The initiative originated from an idea by Patrizia Piccagli, who has deep ties to San Benedetto Po and proposed organizing an event to raise the funds needed for the restoration of the sculptures. The project was welcomed and supported by the Committee, becoming a concrete example of collaboration between citizens and institutions for the protection of the local artistic heritage. A significant contribution came from actor Enzo Decaro, who on May 9 performed the charity recital *Jonathan Livingston Seagull* without charging a fee. The proceeds from ticket sales, along with donations and other contributions collected, made it possible to exceed initial expectations: in addition to the statues of Adam and Eve, it was also possible to fund the restoration of *David with the Head of Goliath*.
The three works are located in the entrance vestibule of the Basilica and are made of terracotta, with stucco and color finishes designed to evoke the appearance of marble. The conservation restoration was entrusted to Studio Billoni Restauro, under the supervision of Giuseppe Billoni, in collaboration with restorer Rossella Buganza. Architect Giancarlo Pavesi and Father Stefano Guerreschi also collaborated on the project for the basilica.
The restoration work involved consolidating the most fragile parts, removing dirt deposits, and restoring the traces of the original color still preserved on the surfaces. The work on the statues of Adam and Eve was particularly delicate; here, the altered repainting that compromised the proper interpretation of the works was removed. The restoration of the existing stucco work and the additions—limited to what was strictly necessary—restored greater clarity to the forms and details, while respecting the original materials and the conservation history of the sculptures.
The group depicting the victorious David also benefited from an intervention aimed at consolidating and restoring the original finishes.
The project was carried out with the support of the Fondazione Comunità Mantovana and the Fondazione Banca Agricola Mantovana, in collaboration with the Municipality of San Benedetto Po and the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the provinces of Cremona, Lodi, and Mantua. Other supporters include Marta Trentini, Fulvio Fortunati, Gruppo Tea, Groupama Assicurazioni Mantova, Bottoli, and Carrozzeria Borgonovi. The return of the three sculptures represents a significant achievement for the Committee for the Preservation and Restoration of Artistic Heritage in San Benedetto Po, established with the goal of involving the community in the protection of the area’s cultural heritage.
“We are returning a precious part of our artistic heritage to the community,” stated Maurizio Lapponi. “The funds raised during the show and the generosity of citizens, benefactors, and businesses have allowed us to restore one more statue than originally planned. Special thanks go to Enzo Decaro, who performed for free and gave impetus to this project. On October 16, we want to share the results with anyone who wishes to attend and also personally thank all those who believed in this initiative.”
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| San Benedetto Po: Solidarity Restores Beauty to Three Sculptures by Antonio Begarelli |
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