MANUFATTI METALLICI PRESSO IL CIMITERO MONUMENTALE ‘FOCE’ DI SANREMO, LIGURIA. RILIEVO E PIANIFICAZIONE DELLE ATTIVITÁ CONSERVATIVE.

Silvia Salvini1

1 Conservation scientist specialista in Beni Architettonici e del Paesaggio, silvia.salvini@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The monumental cemetery ‘Foce’ in Sanremo, Ligury was central in a study carried out since January 2013. The site is located in the western part of Sanremo, and it was founded in 1838. Now it counts over 2000 tombs, many of them date back to Sanremo’s Belle Époque (1880-1915), period in which the city became an important international tourist destination. Unfortunately, the site is now in a state of strong decay.

The graves are made of different materials, both metallic and stone. They have been analyzed in order to locate all the elements for successive inspections and future conservation plans.

There are beautiful bronze little elements and sculptures (e.g. the masterpiece of Jules Pierre Van Biesbroeck for the Coudoglou’s funerary chapel and others especially by the Tuscan sculptor Vincenzo Pasquali) and elaborated wrought iron railings or doors in Liberty – Deco style.

Regarding the decay of the ironworks, oxidation phenomena are complex and diffuse and sometimes associated with alterations like delamination or splintering. Bronze elements can be oxidized and sometimes even dripped or pitted. In many cases stone materials close to oxidized metals can be stained. Finally, we must not forget the improper man’s action with thefts for bronze elements and improper paint, especially on wrought iron.

In order to maintain this heritage for a long period there are recommended maintenance and restoration actions, that depending on the difficulty they can be executed by dealers or by restorers.

Parole chiave/Key-words:

planned maintenance, ironworks, bronze, monumental cemetery, decay of metals