Visitors in Rome can now admire the newly restored cupola of the church of Saints Luke and Martina designed by Baroque master Pietro da Cadorna. Restorers have removed layers of colour added after the church’s construction in the mid-17th century to reveal the progression from pink (at the bottom) to glaring white (at the top) of the original stucco.
The colours of the restored cupola reflect those of the travertine marble used widely in construction at the time. The work, made possible following in-depth analysis conducted by the Rome architectural superintendant’s office between 2007 and 2009, is set out in a book curated by Pio Baldi and Pier Luigi Porzio and published by Gangemi Editore. For now only the cupola has regained its original hues but the search is on for new funding to enable other parts of the church located near the Mamertine prison at the foot of the Capitoline hill to be restored. SSaints Luke and Martina is open to visitors on Saturdays upon prior booking.
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