The high tides (acque alte) of this past November–the second worst in recorded history–caused heartbreaking damage to Venice and its community, and reminded Save Venice of the ever-important nature of our work to safeguard the city’s uniquely-fragile heritage.
Within days of the floods, Save Venice’s Board of Directors voted to create an Immediate Response Fund (IRF) for artistic and cultural heritage recovery and preventative conservation, and announced a new partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C. on the fundraising and awareness campaign #AmericaLovesVenice. We are thrilled to report that thanks to the incredible generosity of more than 550 donors, the IRF has raised $700,000 as of May 2020, which includes a $100,000 contribution from Save Venice.*
The fund was put to immediate use beginning in November to support efforts to mitigate the effects of corrosive saltwater and deposits in churches, museums, and comparable public buildings that experienced tidal flooding. Projects also included emergency treatment for paintings, stonework, floors, wooden furnishings, books, and archival documents, as well as preventative conservation to minimalize damage from future floods.
The ongoing impact of the IRF spans across Venice and has benefitted more than 21 sites to date including:
Twelve Churches
Santa Maria Assunta on the Island of Torcello
Santa Maria dei Carmini
Santa Maria del Giglio
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Santi Apostoli
Santi Maria e Donato on the Island of Murano
San Moisè
San Pantalon
San Polo
San Sebastiano
San Stae
Two Museums
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti at the Ca’ d’Oro
Jewish Museum in the Ghetto Ebraico di Venezia
Two Confraternities (scuole)
Scuola Dalmata di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
Four Cultural and Educational Institutions
Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello in Palazzo Pisani
Fondazione Giorgio Cini
Fondazione Querini Stampalia
Teatro La Fenice
Cemetery
Jewish Cemetery on the Lido
Save Venice gratefully thanks our family of supporters, old and new, who have given to the IRF and helped Venice recover from one of the most terrible floods in its history. If you would like to contribute, know that your gift will allow Save Venice to expand its efforts and do what our track record proves we do best: protect Venice’s irreplaceable artistic heritage.
133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.
133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.