Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October 2023 will see the return of the FAI Autumn Days, the much-loved and now eagerly-awaited street event that FAI - Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano ETS has been dedicating to Italy's cultural heritage and landscape for the past twelve years. During the weekend, animated and enthusiastically promoted by the FAI Youth Groups, together with all the volunteers of the Trust's Territorial Network, special visits will be offered to hundreds of extraordinary places throughout Italy, selected because they are usually inaccessible or because they are curious, original or little-known.
The public will be able to marvel at the richness and variety of the treasures of history, art and nature that are hidden, unexpected and astonishing, in every corner of the Peninsula: these will include historic palaces, villas, churches, castles, and even examples of industrial archaeology, museums, art collections, archaeological areas, libraries, artisan workshops and production sites. There will also be itineraries in villages and routes in nature areas, urban parks, botanical gardens and historic gardens. The FAI Autumn Days are organised as part of the Foundation's "October FAI" fund-raising campaign, which runs throughout the month.
In our city, the appointment is with 'MASSIMO CARMASSI IN PISA: THE RESTORATION OF THE VERDI THEATRE AND "LA MATTONAIA"'.
Pisa, San Francesco district: here are two of architect Massimo Carmassi's major works. In the heart of the city's historic centre, in a strongly stratified urban context, are the Giuseppe Verdi Theatre, a paradigmatic example of 19th-century theatre architecture, and the San Michele in Borgo complex, which stands at the back of the church of the same name, in place of the ancient cloister destroyed during World War II.
During his time as head of the project office of the Municipality of Pisa, Carmassi devoted himself to the restoration of the rear of San Michele in Borgo: after numerous design solutions developed since 1974, the building site was started in 1986. Although never completed, the complex is now known throughout the world as a paradigmatic case of virtuous urban recovery. A few years later, between 1986 and 1989, it was the turn of the restoration of the Giuseppe Verdi Theatre, built by architect Andrea Scala between 1865 and 1867. The intervention, which took place both inside and outside, is recognised by the international scientific community as a successful example of integration between old and new.
Same neighbourhood, two interventions on the pre-existing fabric with the same intent of seeking a balance between conservation and reinterpretation. The restoration of the Verdi Theatre, a meticulous intervention to adapt to the new regulations and requirements of safety standards and service spaces, preserves the material and spatial characteristics with such dedication that one could walk a long way inside the theatre without finding the slightest sign of intervention by the architect. Carmassi, with the profound conviction that the value of the 19th-century theatre lies in the authenticity of the materials and the integrity of the main spaces, achieves an elegant balance between pure preservation and design, using light materials such as steel and glass. For its part, the complex of San Michele in Borgo can be considered the utmost expression of Massimo Carmassi's research on the urban fabric of Pisa and in particular on the tower-house typology: weaving a profound dialogue with the history of the city, he applies the most modern academic theories of restoration, taking care of the details with a craftsmanlike approach.
WHAT WILL YOU DISCOVER DURING THE FAI DAYS?
We will approach contemporary architecture, sometimes little considered, by focusing on architect Massimo Carmassi. Together we will visit the Verdi Theatre in Pisa in a different light, taking a close look at the restorations and interventions carried out by the designer, both inside and outside the building. We will move around the stalls and between the various tiers of the theatre, reaching the attic, generally not accessible to the public, where the wooden structure of the dome can be observed; outside the building, we will linger on the staircase, also the work of the architect. We will then delve into the history of the Complesso di San Michele in Borgo, better known as 'La Mattonaia', walking around its perimeter, rediscovering its architectural value and dialogue with the neighbourhood. This will be a unique opening: the FAI desk will be located at the Verdi Theatre, where it will be necessary to go to participate. In the event of a large turnout, the closure of the property could be brought forward.
Andrea Crudeli and FAI Youth Group of Pisa
VISITS ORGANISED BY:
Order of Architects of Pisa, FAI Youth Group of Pisa, FAI Delegation of Pisa.
