Church dedicated to Saints Faustino and Giovita

Via Amadeo, 90 20134 Milano

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Church dedicated to the Saints Faustino and Giovita

Conservative restoration

The church dedicated to the Saints Faustino and Giovita - better known as the Shrine of the Madonna delle Grazie - is currently undergoing a major conservative restoration affecting the entire interior environment. The church appeared in a poor state of preservation, mainly caused by the presence of moisture in the masonry. Some unfitting renovations with cement plasters, which pushed efflorescence higher, thus resulting in the crushing and pulverization of the oldest plaster, had undoubtedly contributed to exacerbate the existing situation. The frescoes and painted decorations that characterize the vaults of the classroom and of the sacristy, had rather different problems caused in part by water infiltration preceding the arrangement of the entire roof surface. The paint layers, however, were generally well preserved, making the architectural environment legible. On the contrary, the color of neutral surfaces and stucco appeared altered by a uniform layer of surface deposit with additional painting, thus modifying the perception of the original fresh and bright colors. Restoration work will therefore aim to overcome all situations of degradation redeveloping and restoring the authenticity of all the components related to the church’s history.

By Francesco Tandoi