ROME - The Vittoriano have unveiled the 240,000 euro restorations completed on the marble and bronze statues that decorate the frontal facade of the monument.

 From March 4 2024, the two fountains that decorate either side of the Altare della Patria, as well as the bronze statues that sit on top of the central columns, were cleaned of algae growth and soot from exhaust pollution - a project entirely funded by Italian company Bulgari. 

 The current director of the Vittoriano, Edith Gabrielli, commented on the appropriateness of the luxury jewellery company financing the restorations - the statues that decorate the front of the monument are very much the jewels of the Vittoriano, she remarked on Wednesday. 

 The monument, designed by Giuseppe Sacconi and constructed between1885 and 1935, is an homage to the unification of Italy and its first king Vittorio Emanuele II. Whilst it features heavily on the to-do list of the millions of tourists who come to Rome every year, amongst locals it is generally considered a bit of an eyesore, nicknamed 'The Wedding Cake' or 'The Giant Typewriter'. 

 But the restorations hope to instill a sense of pride in the iconic monument, aiming to make shine again the marble and bronze whilst preserving the beauty to be found in the natural ageing process.

 Gabrielli expressed her appreciation for the financial and logistical help of Bulgari in the project, and her excitement for future restoration projects to come. 

 dabj