Gattamelata, Innocenti: «Statue moved for restoration? A temporary copy could be placed»

Regarding the restoration of the statue of Gattamelata and its future positioning in the city, the deputy secretary of Forza Italia in Padua, Lorenzo Innocenti, intervenes. During the 2022 election campaign, he showed up on horseback right at the foot of the statue, on the anniversary of Gattamelata's death, to pay homage to it with a bouquet of flowers.
Lorenzo Innocenti states: «Although he was a Paduan by adoption, Erasmo da Narni, known as Gattamelata, represents an important and central part of Paduan identity. Therefore, his is not a simple monument, even in its inestimable historical and material value, but a true symbol of Paduan identity, so much so that it is often found in association symbols, including the old coat of arms of Calcio Padova. We know that the care of the space is the responsibility of the Vatican State, but the matter is also the responsibility of the municipal administration. Knowing for several years now that the time would come to remove the statue for restoration, I believe it would have been appropriate for the administration - and indeed in agreement with the Curia and the Ministry of Culture - to prepare, because it would be really ugly, as well as unpleasant, to leave the pedestal empty or, worse, to keep the current vestments, without even the possibility of visiting the statue up close, as at least happens today».
Lorenzo Innocenti concludes: «The solution could have been to prepare a copy, as happened in Venice in 1982 for the quadriga of the Horses of St. Mark. This is also a very precious work, the result of the unfortunate sack of Constantinople by the same Crusaders, which began the fatal decline of ancient Byzantium, later taken by the Turks. In that case, the bronze statue, damaged by atmospheric agents and pollution, was restored and placed in the Basilica's museum, while a faithful copy was exhibited outside, where it is still today. Of course, it would have been an expense for the municipal coffers, but private patrons could easily have been involved, which fortunately are not lacking in a thriving city, both from an economic and cultural point of view, such as ours. Just think of the recent purchase by the entrepreneur Enrico Carraro of the Cinema Altino and the Mignon, which has finally healed a painful black hole that had lasted in the city for almost twenty years. We are now waiting to know the fate of our most precious and iconic statue, hoping that the municipal administration will propose to support, always respecting their roles, the Vatican officials in managing the restoration and in providing timely information to the citizens".
Padovaoggi