One-day scaffolding tour of Turin's Basilica Mauriziana restoration

On September 22, 2024, the Basilica Mauriziana in Turin will open its restoration scaffolding to the public for a single day. The church, closed for five years, is undergoing stratigraphic examinations ahead of a two-year restoration starting in November. Visitors can ascend 40 meters to view 19th-century frescoes by Paolo Emilio Morgari depicting the Triumph of the Cross. Access is limited to 10 people per hour, with mandatory booking via email. The event is organized by the Fondazione Ordine Mauriziano (FOM) as part of its Passepartout initiative, which also offers secret tours at Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi. The total restoration investment is approximately €619,000, with 40% from the Soprintendenza and 60% from FOM. Future plans include restoring the crypt, an 18th-century burial site. The basilica, originally built in 1207 and remodeled in 1678, features a Greek cross plan and an elliptical dome designed by Antonio Bettino.