Alpo di Villafranca (VR) – Project of restoration and rehabilitation of point and bell cell in the belfry - San Giovanni Battista Church

On the 7^th of July 2006 the upper part of the belfry of San Giovanni Church in Alpo di Valpolicella was hit by a thunder which destroyed the highest element of the belfry, cracked one side of belfry and caused widespread damages. The project concerned the restoration of bricks on the point using similar material for geometry, structure and characteristics, filling of the lacks and wide damages, the restoration of stone elements (architrave, columns) and the replacement of a copy of the highest element in stone and iron that was destroyed by the thunder.The project has managed the surfaces of the belfry facades and the restoration of the lightning-conductor system using the same way and the same metallic joints to the walls.

The bell cell in the belfry has slender and slim proportions and it constituted by four angular columns, other columns rest on the railing and little stone columns. The supports are made by three stone blocks that support only the trabeation with above the tympanum. The point above the bell cell has the shape of a squat obelisk lightly raised by base, four stone basements holds the point base and at the angles there are stone spheres without any structural functions. The point base is constituted by stone architraves that have platband shape; four ribbed vaults are the pyramidal frame and squared blocks of tender stone are placed at the edges. Before the collapse, a stone element was on the highest part where there was a cross that it is required to give more stability to the point thanks to his light load. Between bell cell and point - that is empty inside - there is a wooden floor that probably has both bracing and assistant function in order to guarantee the box action of the frame.  

2007-2009

San Giovanni Battista Parish