Milan launches restoration of Five Days monument and crypt

Milan's municipal administration has unveiled a multidisciplinary project to restore and enhance the Monument to the Five Days and its crypt, a key symbol of the 1848 uprising against Austrian rule. The initiative, presented on January 23, 2024, involves the University of Milan and the Policlinico of Milan. The bronze obelisk, designed by sculptor Giuseppe Grandi in the late 19th century, stands about 23 meters tall in Piazza Cinque Giornate and features five female allegorical figures. Its crypt holds the remains of the fallen. The restoration will address water infiltration, conduct diagnostic surveys including georadar mapping and chemical-physical analysis, and study the skeletal remains under forensic anthropologist Cristina Cattaneo of the Labanof laboratory. The goal is to restore dignity and identity to the victims. The project also draws on historical archives from the Policlinico to identify the fallen by name and profession. Councillor Gaia Romani noted the strong public attachment to the monument, evidenced by annual commemorative openings from March 18 to 22. Crypt manager Giovanna Colace emphasized the collaborative nature of the project.