As we published earlier this year (article here) the traditional Tuscan red tile covering the roofs of Barga have been under threat because of a mixture of lack of maintenance, extreme weather conditions and the recent earth tremours all conspiring with the forces of gravity to bring the tiles to the ground. One of those building most affected has been the Town Hall – The Palazzo Pancrazi with the overhanging “Gronde” showing visible signs of buckling and sagging.
Yesterday evening a printed sheet was put through most of the doors in Barga Vecchia informing people that the following day work would start on scaffolding around Palazzo Pancrazi.
This morning like clockwork workmen arrived and started erecting scaffolding which will over the next couple of days completely cover Palazzo Pancrazi allowing workers to start on repairing the roof of the building which is in a dangerous condition.
According to the printed sheet “Comune Informa” that work will actually start in the second half of the month of August.
The official note from the Comune goes on to apologise for the disruption to the residents, commercial enterprises and visitors to Barga caused by the work on the Palazzo in what is the height of the tourist season but the condition of the roof and overhanging guttering was such that an immediate intervention was necessary.
No solid news for the moment on just how long the refurbishment will actually take, but considering the size of the Palazzo Pancrazzi it is likely that the scaffolding will be still standing for “some while” yet.
Watch this space.
