Post-earthquake restoration complete at Assisi basilica

November 06, 2012

The structural damage done to the basilica of St. Francis of Assisi by an earthquake in 1997 has been repaired.

As part of the enormous restoration effort, workers repaired the chapel of St. Nicholas, in the lower basilica, which for years had been closed to visitors. The chapel will be formally re-opened on December 6, with Italian culture minister Lorenzo Ornaghi presiding at the ceremony.

During the restoration process, workers were able to confirm that frescoes in the St. Nicholas chapel--depicting St. Francis, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary Magdalene, and the Madonna and Child as well as St. Nicholas—were early works by Giotto.

 

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Further information:

• Assisi chapel finally restored after 1997 earthquake (ANSA)