Italy: Restoration of Paleochristian Mosaics of the Basilica Complex in Aquileia celebrated

The Local Award Ceremony for the Paleochristian Mosaics of the Basilica Complex in Aquileia, Italy, winner of an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2015 in the category of Conservation, took place at its premises on the afternoon of 6 September 2015. Europa Nostra’s Vice-President Federico Guasti and the Aquileia Foundation’s President Antonio Zanardi Landi and Vice-President Alviano Scarel unveiled the award plaque in front of an audience of some 100 people, including officials, heritage and culture experts, and the general public.

 

The exceptional 4th century floor mosaic in the southern hall of the Basilica Complex of Aquileia, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was masterfully restored using state-of-the-art techniques and traditional materials. The Jury was impressed with the way the often encountered problem of combining protection with the adequate display of archaeological structures in the open air had been resolved.

In his address, Federico Guasti praised the outstanding restoration of the Paleochristian mosaics and paid tribute to all those who contributed to this heritage achievement of European importance.

Gabriele Spanghero, Mayor of Aquileia, Franco Mattiussi, Vice-President of the Province of Udine, and Arnaldo Becci, Director of the Society for the Conservation of the Basilica of Aquileia, also took part in the ceremony.

After the unveiling of the commemorative plaque on the main facade of the southern hall of the Basilica, the participants were given a guided tour of the southern hall by the Archaeologist Cristiano Tiussi, Director of the Aquileia Foundation.

Musical performances by the Italian violinist Uto Ughi and the Italian chamber orchestra I Solisti Veneti conducted by Claudio Scimone in the Basilica of Aquileia closed the festive day. 250 young people (aged 15 to 30 years old) were given the opportunity to attend free-of-charge this special concert promoted by the Aquileia Foundation and the Gruppo Triveneto dei Cavalieri del Lavoro, represented by its President, Gianni Zonin, who is also the President of the Banca Popolare di Vicenza. High-level representatives from local and regional economic and cultural institutions participated in the event.