Citerna- It caught my eye

Oh, yeah!

You know how it goes. You’re going somewhere and see a sign and think, “hmmm, that looks interesting”, and then you find yourself headed in a new direction. 

This cinched it

After finding a parking place, I entered the old walls.

I found a little angel at the theater

and a covered street

Then a poster intrigued me

What treasure could be found in this little place?

So I stopped by the church of San Francesco and the official got the key to let me in

Unfortunately, the church is now kept locked since the recent theft of of 3 precious relics from the altar. They are also very protective of the wonderful treasure so recently discovered and restored.  An art student who was doing some research, thought she recognized some characteristics of Donatello in a very ugly statue which had been tucked in the back of this church for years. After calling in an expert, it was certified as a work of Donatello and lovingly restored. The official told me that I could download photos from the websites of the restoration. I used my best sad puppy eyes and she let me take my own photo.

I didn’t press my luck to get more detailed photos but the gold and silver leaf used in the details was so intricate and delicate it was breathtaking. To have this special work to myself for as long as I wanted was incredible.

The story of the discovery and restoration can be found in several articles which you will need to run through a translation program if you don’t read Italian.

http://donatelloaciterna.it/it/opera.php

http://tinyurl.com/d828voh

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