Pilosio resurrects Renaissance Basilica

Italian scaffolding supplier Pilosio was called by the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities to provide access solutions for the restoration work on the Renaissance Basilica di San Bernardino in L’Aquila.

The bell tower of the Basilica of San Bernardino was destroyed by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the town of L’Aquila in April 2009.

Pilosio, which specialises in providing temporary equipment for the building and restoration sectors, used its MP multidirectional scaffolding system to provide access to the restoration project.

The main challenge was that the scaffolding could not be supported by the roof of the structure, which meant that Pilosio had to provide an overhanging scaffolding bridge to enable workers to scale the unstable parts of the building.

Pilosio designed and supplied a safety portal measuring 17 m high by 50 m long, which sat inside the Basilica's central nave, and the chapels of the side naves, to protect the workers from any material falling from the ceiling and roof.

The company also constructed an external scaffolding cage to provide workers with access to the outside of the cupola and tambour.