Restoration of the vaults of the Basilica of San Michele

Bracco Foundation is supporting the restoration of the vaults of the basilica of San Michele di Pavia, part of the integrated project Il Parco dello Splendore Pavia, Certosa e Belgioioso on the walks supported by the Lombardy Region.

San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, a masterpiece built in the 12th century, is unique in the world. In its thousand years of history, it also hosted the Coronation of Federico Barbarossa.

Bracco Foundation is among the supporters of the restoration of the presbytery's vault, along with the Lombardy Region, the Luigi Rovati Foundation of Monza and private individuals. Promoted by Il Bel San Michele Association, the works are carried out under the guidance of a national scientific committee in dialogue with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the provinces of Monza-Brianza and Pavia.

The restoration made it possible to discovered traces of frescoes under layers of plaster. A pictorial cycle dated between the end of the 15^th century and the beginning of the 16^th discovered under the 19^th-century finish and then, going back, under the fourth level of plaster. Uncovered in the work with the faces of Sant'Agostino, San Gregorio and San Girolamo, portions of figures of the Doctors of the Western Church which will be subjected to a delicate restoration.