Accademia: repair & flood prevention work to the floors of Palladio's Tablino and spiral staircase
About the project
Among the many buildings that were flooded in the weeks of extreme Acque Alte in November and December 2019 was Palladio’s Roman-inspired Tablino in the Accademia Galleries – built as part of the convent of the Lateran Canons in 1562.
Here the casts of some of Canova’s most famous works are displayed, together with Giuseppe Borsato’s Venetian ‘Empire’ furniture conserved by Venice in Peril in 2015.
Floodwater reached almost to the top of the platform bases of the casts and furniture but did not touch the objects themselves. The Accademia’s underground tanks or vasche that capture floodwater were installed in 1984 and are designed to stop water coming up through the floor, but in November the water found its way in.
Diagnosing the points of entry of the water was very challenging and shows how complex both the problems and solutions are. The marmorino (traditional Venetian stucco) walls of the Tablino were damaged as was the patterned terracotta floor, by the salty water. This has caused the break up of surfaces and left extensive staining.
With the MOSE barriers now in operation flooding should not reoccur, but as there is still a risk, a pump is being installed in the floor below Palladio’s spectacular oval spiral staircase next door. The blocked door to this space has been opened and the badly damaged terracotta floor tiles removed. In the course of work, archaeologists discovered parts of Palladio’s original cistern below ground. Off to one side a pump has been installed and the floor re-covered with tiles. Visitors will now be able to enjoy a view from the Tablino up into the staircase..
Project location
In brief
- Palladio’s Tablino in the Accademia Gallery was badly affected by flooding in late 2019.
- With funds raised from Venice in Peril’s Acqua Alta 2019 Appeal a project was prepared to repair the pedestals on which the casts are placed, the terracotta inlaid floor and the marmorino wall surfaces.
- To provide future protection it was also decided to open up the blocked door in the north wall which leads to Palladio’s spiral staircase, to repair the terracotta floor here and install a pump in case the Tablino should get flooded again.
- As a result the project will extend access, allowing visitors to enjoy views of Palladio’s spectacular oval staircase.
- In the course of work, archaeologists revealed parts of Palladio’s original cistern system below the floor of the staircase, mentioned in his Quattro Libri .
- The work is being undertaken by Venetian conservation firm Uni.SVe. headed by architect Guido Jaccarino under the direction of the Venetian Soprintendenze/ Ministry of Culture and should be completed by September 2021.
- See also Accademia Galleries
- Picture credits: main right Uni.SVe/©G.A.VE; small top left/bottom right, ©G.A.VE Archivio Fotografico/A.Chemollo