Giuliano Mauri's Vegetal Cathedral in Lodi demolished after two years

The Vegetal Cathedral by Giuliano Mauri in Lodi, Italy, has been completely demolished. The posthumous land art installation, inaugurated on April 23, 2017, was razed on December 23, 2019, after repeated collapses due to weather, construction defects, and lack of maintenance. Of the original 108 columns, only 13 remained standing; 55 had already fallen. The work, championed by critic Philippe Daverio and visited by Vittorio Sgarbi, attracted thousands of visitors but began collapsing in September 2018. Mayor Sara Casanova signed the demolition order, and the heirs' association, led by Francesca Regorda, decided against reconstruction. The project had cost nearly €300,000, including €125,000 in public funds from the Lombardy Region. Former culture councilor Andrea Ferrari expressed dismay, noting the demolition occurred hastily and without public notice.