San Filippo Neri Church

Period of the monument: XVII century

Place: Castelfranco di Sopra (AR)

Year of restoration: 2016

Category of works: OS2-A

Client: Immobiliare 2000 – Figline Valdarno (AR)

Supervision: Superintendence BAP SAE of Arezzo

Work performed: Conservative restoration of the facade

◆ HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

The construction of the church began on the date of canonization of the saint, March 12, 1622, when it was decided to build a building of worship in Castelfranco di Sopra and was also instituted the feast in honor of San Filippo. In 1635, after the transfer of the relics, the church was blessed and opened for worship, becoming one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in the area.

It can be deduced that the first construction had more modest dimensions, characteristics, and finishes. The Church, much loved by the inhabitants of Castelfranco, underwent changes over the centuries in order to enrich and enlarge it. Some emblematic examples are: the addition of the bell tower (1637) and the realization of the façade “which before was of sgraffio and was built of stone and was designed by master Domenico di Filippo Segni” as testified in the scroll above the main entrance (1761).

◆THE VARIOUS STEPS OF THE RESTORATION WORK:

STATE OF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OBJECTIVES

The decorative elements of the baroque facade in pietra serena, a sandstone not very resistant to atmospheric agents but typical of Tuscan architecture, appeared seriously compromised by several factors of degradation: the devastating action of chemical agents (smog, exhaust gases, etc.), in addition to the atmospheric agents, had caused numerous fractures with consequent detachment and loss of numerous parts of the stone.

MAIN INTERVENTIONS

Removal of the detached parts or fragments, then inventoried and deposited in a suitable warehouse in order to be put back in place at a later stage of the intervention.
Operations of preconsolidation and disinfestation
Chemical cleaning with water and ammonium carbonate applied with a brush or with the application of compresses with cellulose pulp and ammonium carbonate.
Mechanical cleaning with scalpel, chisel, or micro sandblasting machines
Consolidation by impregnation of ethyl silicate applied by brush. The prevention of flakes was achieved, where possible, by cleaning the connection planes and the reattachment by means of epoxy adhesives. All unsafe parts were secured by in depth hinging using steel pins of various diameters.
In depth grouting and doweling and on the surface in order to restore the original viewing of the decorations
Final protection of the artifacts by brush application of several coats of hydrophobic water repellent, with the addition of biocides that reduce the growth of mold and lichen.