The master woodcarver Ferdinando Romanelli was the man responsible for embellishing the Torah Ark of the Synagogue of Florence at the end of the 19th Century. The city, which only a few years earlier had been the capital of Italy, was home to a prestigious woodcarving school, and Romanelli himself was one of its ambassadors, standing out in many national and international art exhibitions. At the same time that the synagogue was opened to the public, in 1882, he worked on the Torah Ark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After more than 130 years, the passage of time has left its marks and the doors of the Aron HaKodesh are now being restored, thanks to the support of the Friends of Florence Foundation. \u201cThis is a normal intervention for us but, but since it is an historical artifact, we have to take some precautions,\u201d explained to Pagine Ebraiche Simone Chiarugi, owner of one of the two studios located in Florence that are working on the restoration. \u201cWe have to work on the cracks and remove the dirt, being careful not to remove some of the scratches visible on the surface. These were made by the Nazis bayonets when they tried to break down the doors. They are a historical testimony.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The restoration is taking place inside the synagogue, in a side area. It should be completed by mid-May, in time for the end of the Omer, the period between Passover and Shavuot. After Shavuot, which this year begins on June 1, it will be possible to celebrate weddings again \u201cand the Community would like to do so with the original doors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is not the first time Chiarugi has worked for the Jewish Community. He has previously restored the doors of the 18th century Torah Ark in the Synagogue of Siena and, in 2018, he participated in the restoration of the central dome of the synagogue of Florence. \u201cThat was a spectacular intervention, with acrobatic technicians working on the project and the installation of a protective net, which cannot be seen from below because it is made of nylon.\u201d Chiarugi has been running the family business for many years. Founded in 1928, it has been passed down from grandfather to son to grandson. \u201cWe\u2019ve been around for at least half a century,\u201d Chiarugi explained. \u201cIt is a job driven by love and passion for art and beauty.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n