Caput Mundi: Restoration of the Fountains in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore

Caput Mundi Next Generation EU for touristic great events (Mission 1, Component 3, Investment 4.3)

Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan increases the number of accessible tourist sites in Rome, creating valid and qualified tourist and cultural alternatives with respect to the crowded central areas, as well as increasing the use of digital technologies, enhance green areas and the sustainability of tourism. The investment envisages six lines of interventions:
1. “Roman Cultural Heritage for EU-Next Generation”, covering the regeneration and restoration of cultural and urban heritage and complexes of high historical-architectural value of the city of Rome;
2. “Jubilee paths” (from pagan to Christian Rome), targeted to the enhancement, safety, anti-seismic consolidation, restoration of places and buildings of historical interest and archaeological pathways;
3. #LaCittàCondivisa, covering the redevelopment of sites in peripheral areas;
4. #Mitingodiverde, covering interventions on parks, historical gardens, villas and fountains;
5. #Roma 4.0, covering the digitalization of cultural services and the development of apps for tourists;
6. #Amanotesa, aimed at increasing the supply of cultural offer to peripheries for social integration.

The investment is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility by EUR 500 million and includes this project.
The fountains in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore underwent comprehensive restoration, including structural inspections, cleaning and consolidation of stone surfaces, treatment of metal elements, renewal of technological systems, and application of protective coatings. The basin waterproofing was also replaced after renovating the underlying screed. This project is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility with EUR 219000. The fountains in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore are located in two key squares along the Jubilee pilgrimage routes. The restoration project included several phases: a preliminary inspection to assess the integrity of the stone tessellation and identify any areas at risk of detachment; conservative restoration of stone surfaces to preserve their original appearance; inspection of metal components to evaluate their condition and functionality; restoration of the technological systems linked to the fountains; and maintenance of the surrounding areas and perimeter fences. The conservative restoration of the stone surfaces comprised reinforcement and repair of unstable sections; thorough chemical and mechanical cleaning to remove dirt, limescale, and impurities; disinfection and weeding to eliminate biological growth; structural reinforcement to improve stability; removal of damaged or non-functional elements; specific treatments of metal parts to ensure durability; plastering and tessellation to restore missing or damaged decorative elements; and the application of a final protective coating to safeguard against weathering and wear. Additionally, the old waterproofing layer of the basins was removed, followed by renovation of the underlying screed and the application of a new waterproof coating.