In cities rich in history and artistic and cultural heritage, the development of new infrastructure projects often goes hand in hand with the restoration of ancient artifacts. Rome, with its millennia of and historic sites, is a perfect example. As a matter of fact, the construction works for the Rome Metro Line C also include interventions for the consolidation, monitoring, and restoration of priceless historical buildings.
In some cases, during the construction of major infrastructures, not only were ancient artifacts uncovered and restored, but there were occasions when centuries-old treasures were moved to ensure the future cultural preservation.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these cases.
Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt
In a race against time, the two Abu Simbel Temples were saved from floodwaters caused by the construction of the Aswan Dam.
This extraordinary feat, which involved an Italian company later merged into Webuild Group, required dismantling the Temples of Abu Simbel (some of the most amazing Egyptian artefacts), which weighed 265,000 and 55,000 tons respectively, and relocating them 280 meters inward and 65 meters higher up an artificial hill.
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London Bridge, UK
In the mid-20th century, London Bridge was crumbling under the weight of vehicles, threatening to collapse into the Thames. The structure was put up for auction in 1968 to make way for a new, more modern bridge and was purchased for $2.46 million.
The sections of the London Bridge were then shipped to Arizona, where the bridge was reassembled according to its original design.
St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church, Florida, USA
Originally built in France in the 12th century, rapid urban expansion threatened the existence of the ancient, historic church. It was purchased by a magnate who oversaw its dismantling, with each stone meticulously numbered for precise reassembly.
The pieces were transported across the Atlantic to Miami, where they were reassembled into what is now known as the St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church.
Berlin’s Victory Column, Germany
Originally, the Victory Column was located in front of the Reichstag in Berlin. However, in 1938, as part of a major urban reorganization under the Nazi regime, this historic building was moved to its current position at the center of the Grosser Stern (Great Star) roundabout in Tiergarten Park.
The relocation of the Victory Column was a complex operation, requiring its dismantling into sections and its transport over several hundred meters to the new site.
Marble Arch, UK
Originally intended as a grand ceremonial entrance to Buckingham Palace, the Marble Arch no longer fit with the palace’s new design when Queen Victoria decided to move her residence to Windsor Castle. Therefore, the arch was relocated from Buckingham Palace to its current position at the end of Oxford Street, where it was reassembled in its present form.
The relocation was a complex process, as the Marble Arch, made of white Carrara marble, had to be carefully dismantled, with each stone numbered to ensure precision during reassembly.
Verziere Column and Naviglio’s City Walls in Milan (M4 Metro Line Construction)
During the construction of Milan’s M4 metro line, carried out by Webuild Group, interventions to protect the city’s artistic and cultural heritage went hand in hand with the urban redevelopment of key areas in the city.
At Largo Augusto, during the transformation and revitalization of the square, the Verziere Column, a Mannerist-Baroque monument dating back to 1580, was dismantled and relocated. During the dismantling, a smaller hidden column, known as the “Rough Column,” emerged, which could date back to 1577. The Verziere Column was then reinstalled in its original location, with the statue of Christ the Redeemer placed back in its original position. At the same time, a pedestrian area was created to house the “Rough Column.”
But the discoveries didn’t stop there. During the M4 metro line works, while excavating for the construction of the De Amicis station, a section of the Naviglio’s inner city wall was uncovered. These ancient medieval walls were moved to allow the progress of construction and were later placed inside the metro station to be admired by all metro users.
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