Turbulent economical periods have left many of Italy’s greatest monuments crumbling to the cruel fates of time; thankfully, private donors – particularly fashion brands – are coming to their aid.
Italy is a good many things but nothing stands out as much as its food, fashion and history. It’s hard to think of the great nation without any one of the above so when one needs a little help, it is no surprise that the other would step up to help.
Turbulent economical periods have left many of Italy’s greatest monuments crumbling to the cruel fates of time as its government struggles to keep up with preservation. Thankfully, private donors – particularly fashion brands – are coming to their aid.
Prada and the Ca’ Corner della Regina
Fondazione Prada, the creative arm of Prada, was among the first to rise to the call in 2011, restoring the Ca’ Corner della Regina that today overlooks the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It today stands tall and proud as the Venetian headquarters of the brand, has since hosted 5 research exhibitions and can be visited for free by a group of minimum 6 people with a prior booking of at least 7 days prior.
Fendi and the Trevi Fountain
Fendi was also quick to step up to restoring another iconic landmark, the Trevi Fountain in Rome. It pumped in all of 2.1 million euros to bring the 85 feet high and 65 feet wide fountain – the largest Baroque fountain in the city as well as one of the most famous in the world – back to its former glory, added with a few new features. It also sponsored a clean-up of the Le Quattro Fontane prior to that.
Ermenegildo Zegna and the Podere Case Lovera
Inspired by its ‘green philosophy’, Fondazione Zegna, the foundation by Ermenegildo Zegna Group, also restored the Podere Case Lovera in Punta Mesco, a patch of ancient rural landscape in the Cinque National Park, which is also Italy’s first national park. Today, it encourages visitors young and old to pop by and learn the importance of protection of nature.
Tod's and the Colosseum
Making some of the biggest headlines this week is the successful phase one restoration of the Colosseum by Tod’s. This sees the Northern and Southern facades of the archeological area sporting new gates in place of the current arch enclosure system. Next in store is the restoration of the Colosseum’s passageways and underground vaults so visitors can access it from the outer area as opposed to where it stands now, within the walls of the site.
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