Torino's Palazzo Madama statues undergo spectacular public restoration

Four monumental marble statues by Giovanni Baratta, each over 4 meters tall and weighing more than 3 tons, have been removed from the balustrade of Palazzo Madama in Turin for restoration. The allegorical figures—Justice, Liberality, Magnanimity, and Abundance—representing "Good Government," suffered damage from weather, war, past restorations, and oxidized metal pins. The statues were sectioned, caged, and lowered 27 meters by crane in Piazza Castello, where they will be restored live in a transparent pavilion open to the public with guided tours. The intervention is part of a larger restoration of the Juvarra facade, funded by Fondazione CRT with €17.5 million total, including €2.4 million for this phase. Work is led by Cooperativa Archeologia di Firenze and Arte Restauro Conservazione under architect Gianfranco Gritella. Fondazione Torino Musei president Maurizio Cibrario called it a unique opportunity to appreciate late Baroque sculpture. Fondazione CRT president Giovanni Quaglia highlighted the public-private synergy. The restoration is a key moment in the ongoing structural consolidation of the facade.