Preserving Venice’s Bells and Their Towers

YEAR: 2015

In Venice, where Catholic Church attendance has declined, bells and bell towers have lost their purpose; Their neglect has left them vulnerable to decay and structural stresses. This project involved complex onsite surveys of 20 bell towers and 69 bells. Condition, accessibility, and safety were documented for each tower. Two thirds of the towers are in poor to only fair condition, but some percentage can be made safe with proper repairs. Photos, dimensions and other bell tower data were documented in an online application. Recommendations and concept designs for merchandise were also researched in order to establish an outline for preservation.

Team

Hickey, Meghan Claire

Honicker, James Lawrence

Bove, Christopher Peter

Gallagher, Kristin Stefani

Sponsors

Curia Patriarcale

Advisors

Carrera, Fabio

Higgins, Lorraine D.