Ferrara, post-earthquake restoration of 16th-century Santa Maria della Visitazione completed

Post-earthquake work has been completed on the 16th-century church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, known as the Madonnina, and the former adjoining convent, in Ferrara. The church is linked to the miracle of the image of the Virgin, which, in the early 16th century, was saved from the demolition of the nearby Porta di Sotto, demolished at the time of Alfonso I d’Este in the course of work to strengthen the wall system.

The building stands along the eastern portion of the walls and was built starting in 1526, following the miracle (it was finished ten years later) and then rebuilt after the 1570 earthquake. In 2012 another earthquake deeply damaged the church. Work began in March 2019: consolidation, repair and structural reinforcement were carried out.

A sum of more than 1.2 million euros was needed for the intervention, including 812 thousand euros from funds for post-earthquake reconstruction from the commissarial structure of the Emilia-Romagna Region and 422,500 euros from the municipality’s insurance funds.

“We are happy that one of Ferrara’s most historically rich churches can now experience its post-earthquake rebirth. We are in the process of completing the arrangements, which particularly concern the placement of the works of art removed following the 2012 earthquake and currently stored at Palazzo Bonaccossi, in Via Cisterna del Follo, and in the storage room of the former Seminary, in Via Cairoli,” explains Councillor Andrea Maggi. “In the space of a few weeks the faithful, visitors, and tourists will be able to return to admire the church. After a long post-earthquake closure, it will be a very important event for the city, which we intend to celebrate as a great community celebration.” Thanking architect Natascia Frasson, designers, construction management and contractors for “the great teamwork put in place,” the alderman added, “A technical structure participated by different skills and professionalism has brought back to light a church heavily damaged by the tremors, giving back to Ferrara an important piece of its heritage after a high quality intervention.”

The church’s masonry was connected with a metal curb, an operation that reinforced and provided greater stability to the entire complex. Metal chains were also used to anchor and give stability to the facade, which was in danger of toppling over after the tremors. A metal lattice structure installed at the back of the ’pediment’ enabled its securing and provides support for it. The interior masonry vaults were also strengthened, a technology involving the use of steel fibers, and the damaged portions of the masonry were reintegrated with bricks and the use of cement mortars. The area of the former convent was also consolidated, placing new wooden beams over the existing ones and interposing new joists between the existing ones; completing the work was the installation of a double cross plank floor and the creation of a metal angle profile on the perimeter. Once the work on the structural part was completed, restoration was carried out, involving the chromatic completion of the vaults and walls. The restoration also involved the architectural details present, such as arches, vault ribs, entablature and the columns, the latter including capital and pedestal.

Pictured is the interior of the church after restoration.

Ferrara, post-earthquake restoration of 16th-century Santa Maria della Visitazione completed

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