This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20354673
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Milan cathedral puts gargoyles up for adoption | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Milan's main cathedral has put its 135 gargoyles up for adoption as it seeks to raise funds for renovations. | |
Donors who contribute 100,000 euros (£80,000) to the Gothic building will have their names engraved under a gargoyle. | Donors who contribute 100,000 euros (£80,000) to the Gothic building will have their names engraved under a gargoyle. |
These are the often grotesque figures used in Gothic architecture to drain off rainwater. | These are the often grotesque figures used in Gothic architecture to drain off rainwater. |
The campaign has been introduced to make good a shortfall caused by cuts to the Italian culture budget. | The campaign has been introduced to make good a shortfall caused by cuts to the Italian culture budget. |
The cathedral's management said it wanted "to encourage the Milanese and citizens of the world as a whole to be protagonists in the history of the cathedral, a priceless treasure that belongs to all of humanity". | The cathedral's management said it wanted "to encourage the Milanese and citizens of the world as a whole to be protagonists in the history of the cathedral, a priceless treasure that belongs to all of humanity". |
It is seeking to raise 25m euros (£20m) for essential maintenance. | It is seeking to raise 25m euros (£20m) for essential maintenance. |
Milan's Duomo is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world, and took six centuries to build. | |
Construction was started in 1386 and completed by French emperor Napoleon, who said he would pay for its facade. | Construction was started in 1386 and completed by French emperor Napoleon, who said he would pay for its facade. |
Italy's heritage has been affected by the austerity measures. Museums have been forced to close, and world-famous buildings are crumbling. | Italy's heritage has been affected by the austerity measures. Museums have been forced to close, and world-famous buildings are crumbling. |
In June, pieces of stone fell off the Trevi fountain in Rome, while blocks of marble have been falling off the Colosseum, one of the world's best-known buildings. | In June, pieces of stone fell off the Trevi fountain in Rome, while blocks of marble have been falling off the Colosseum, one of the world's best-known buildings. |
A 25m euros (£20m) private donation has been secured for restorations to that monument. | A 25m euros (£20m) private donation has been secured for restorations to that monument. |
The culture budget, already a tiny fraction of Italy's national spending, has been cut by a third over the past three years. | The culture budget, already a tiny fraction of Italy's national spending, has been cut by a third over the past three years. |