Opera per Santa Maria Novella

The Gondi Chapel dedicated to St. Luke in the church of Santa Maria Novella has been restored. The Crucifix by Brunelleschi has returned to its rightful place after a lengthy absence. The restoration was made possible through public and private collaboration to the tune of €250,000.

Florence, September 21, 2009 - After the major interventions for the Jubilee Year in 2000, the restorations made in the Spanish Chapel, in the Strozzi Chapel and the Chapel of Vernio Bardi, another element has been added to the other part of this extraordinary treasure trove of faith and art represented by the monumental complex of Santa Maria Novella in Florence: the restoration of the Gondi Chapel dedicated to Saint Luke.

Once again the successful completion of this challenging and delicate restoration work equal to those that preceded it, is thanks to the cooperation of several bodies, public and private, from the owner to the Interior Ministry’s Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration to the Central Fund for the Administration of Places of Worship, the Florentine Museums, and the Superintendence for Natural and Architectural Heritage, and finally the Opificio delle Pietre Dure (Stone Workshop), which followed and monitored the return of the Brunelleschi Crucifix to the Gondi Chapel after a long absence.

Among the private supporters, the Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, which has periodically supported the Church and the District of Santa Maria Novella since 1997, funded the €250,000 initiative, confirming its role as active 'testimonial' in a historic downtown area of great artistic importance.

The Gondi Family has renewed a bond of affection, more than just historic, with the Chapel, which for centuries marked its relationship with the religious world and the city.

Last but not least the community of Dominican friars, who possess the spiritual ownership of the sacred building, continues, through the Opera for Santa Maria Novella, its commitment to care and support the upgrading of the church within its urban context.

Source: La Nazione