(map) 
If you are nearby this summer, you will have your only chance to view the restoration of the Chapel of Saint Nicola as it takes place, with a birds-eye view of Giotto’s frescoes; before, during and after the restoration work has been completed.
This extraordinary event takes place in honor of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan Order.
You’ll make a reservation, and the following day will be led inside the Lower Church, given hard hats to wear, and will then follow a guide up two levels of stairs surrounded by scaffolding to watch (in our case) a young woman above us at work.
Surrounded by Giotto’s images, you’ll be close enough to touch them; and on one wall an area marked by white chalk showed what the fresco looked like before and after it was cleaned and restored.
Down the street at the Palace of Monte Frumentario, the second part of the tour, is a “virtual” exhibit of the restoration of the 28 scenes of the upper church, “Giotto come era” (The Era of Giotto) to learn about the Legends of St. Francis of the Upper Church as they originally were. Your ticket allows you to return twice, and you’ll surely want to!
www.icoloridigiotto.it/, and tickets here.
– Contributed by Evanne Brandon Diner (see bio), chronicler of local village life in Northern Lazio, and property restoration and purchasing consultant. www.lavventuraitalia.com
I very much enjoy Italian Notebook and thank you all for such interesting notes.
It was very nice to read about the restoration of the Chapel of San Nicola.
The author writes: “Giotto come era” and translates it as The Era of Giotto. I believe the correct translation is “Giotto as it was.”
Thanks and kind regards.
How wonderful to be able to see the fresco’s up close! Wish I could be there this summer.
What an amazing opportunity! I wish I was able to experience this event. Their hard work and dedication is much appreciated!!
Thanks so much for this great information. I am so there! More info at http://www.assisionline.com.
What a privilege to see this, and at such intimate quarters.
Thanks for this nice news. Only one comment: I would translate “Giotto come era” with “Giotto as it was”, not “the Era of Giotto”, the “it” referring to the color of the frescoes as it was originally, not the painter himself.
How do we go about making a reservation? We’re planning to be in Assisi in September.
w0w, how lucky are those who will see this.
That translation was my goof! I was thinking that if they had meant “Giotto as he was” they would have written it “Giotto com’era”, but I guess it doesn’t change the meaning being written as it is. Your (collective) version makes sense given the context.
So sorry for the oops, apologies to Evanne and Roy too!
We were recently in Assisi and were not able to spend enough time there to see the restoration work. The church and the paintings are truly remarkable and not to be missed.
This was a wonderful opportunity; I went last week.
A word of advice, however–the chapel is open for tours 7 days a week, but if you are interested in seeing the restoration crew actually working you need to go from Monday through Friday (they are off on Saturdays and Sundays!).
I was there this September, quite impressive!!