Back in 2012 we published an article stating that the traditional Tuscan red tile covering the roofs of Barga had been under threat because of a mixture of lack of maintenance, extreme weather conditions and the earth tremours all conspiring with the forces of gravity to bring the tiles to the ground. One of those building most affected was the Town Hall – The Palazzo Pancrazi with the overhanging “Gronde” showing visible signs of buckling and sagging.
On the 21st June 2012 a printed sheet was put through the doors in Barga Vecchia informing people that the following day work would start on scaffolding around Palazzo Pancrazi.
The next morning workmen arrived and started erecting scaffolding which completely covered Palazzo Pancrazi allowing workers to start on repairing the roof of the building which was in a dangerous condition.
The official note from the Comune went to apologise for the disruption to the residents, commercial enterprises and visitors to Barga caused by the work on the Palazzo in what was 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 was available on just how long the refurbishment would actually take, but considering the size of the Palazzo Pancrazi we wrote in that article ” is was likely that the scaffolding will be still standing for “some while” yet.”
This morning, the final piece of scaffolding was removed and yes, it was “some time” – to be exact the total number of days between Thursday, June 21st, 2012 and Thursday, April 30th, 2015 was 2 years, 10 months, and 9 days. This is equal to 1,043 days.
But things done well take time and this morning, Barga Vecchia is celebrating the return of the Piazza Salvi and Palazzo Pancrazi in all their glory.