Restoration of an Ancient Terracotta Floor in a Former Oratory in the Center of Bologna

The Pippolo company, thanks to its professionalism, has recovered an ancient polished terracotta floor in the former San Filippo Neri oratory. This intervention was essential to restore the splendor of a historic floor that represents a true cultural heritage.

History of the Oratory: Oratory of San Filippo Neri – A Late-Baroque Jewel in Bologna

The Oratory of San Filippo Neri, acquired and restored by the Fondazione del Monte in 1997, is a precious example of late-Baroque architecture. Today, it is a cultural center that annually offers a rich program of free events, including performances, concerts, and meetings.

Inaugurated in 1733 under the design of Alfonso Torreggiani, the Oratory was the center of the Congregation of the Filippini until its closure in 1866. During World War II, it suffered severe damage, but it was restored and reopened in 1999 thanks to the intervention of the Fondazione del Monte.

The Oratory houses works by artists such as Alfonso Torreggiani, Angelo Gabriello Piò, and Ludovico Carracci. It also hosts a reconstructed organ, positioned in the same place as the original one destroyed in 1944. This space now represents an important cultural landmark for Bologna, capable of combining history and innovation.

Intervention by the Pippolo Company

The craftsman was tasked with the restoration of an ancient polished terracotta floor with a completely deteriorated treatment; the client requested a complete restoration of the treatment. The intervention began with a complete stripping wash to fully remove the old treatment using the product SGRISER and a single-brush machine equipped with a TYNEX DISC. This process dissolved the old protective layer.

After the application of the SGRISER product, the craftsman carried out a neutralizing wash with the acid detergent VIACEM, again using the single-brush machine and TYNEX DISC. This process brought the terracotta floor back to its raw state, removing dirt accumulated over the years and preparing the surface for the new treatment.

Once the surface was dry, the craftsman applied the specific treatment for the handmade floor:

• Application of a coat of the hydrophobic and oleophobic product TIM.
• Application of the leveling primer Primamano neutra.
• A coat of ROYAL WAX paste wax, specific for saturating handmade terracotta.
• A coat of the anti-wear and anti-dirt finish IDROFIN MATT.

This meticulous restoration has restored beauty and elegance to the old terracotta floor of the baroque San Filippo Neri oratory, reaffirming its original splendor. Through careful cleaning and repair work, each tile was treated with care to preserve the authentic color shades and structural characteristics of the period. The intervention not only returned renewed brightness to the environment but also allowed the art and craftsmanship that characterize this precious example of 17th-century sacred architecture to be appreciated once again.