Submitted by webmaster on Thu, 20/02/2014 - 3:00pm
Thanks to the support of Ms Carla Zampatti AC, leading Australian fashion designer we have been able to begin planning and design works for the restoration of the garden area of Palazzo Vai.
We are extremely pleased to announce that, thanks to the support of Ms Carla Zampatti AC, leading Australian fashion designer, business person, and Patron of the Monash University Prato Centre, we have been able to begin planning and design works for the restoration of the garden area of Palazzo Vai at the back of the Monash Prato Centre.
A makeshift work site during building renovation works over the last few years and a car park prior to that, the area was originally a garden and used to be the main entrance to Palazzo Vai. Dr Cecilia Hewlett, the Director of the Prato Centre, is delighted that, thanks to Ms Zampatti's grant, Monash will be able to begin restoring the area to its former Renaissance glory.
Famous Australian landscape designer Paul Bangay has donated his professional services and is collaborating on the garden design. Works are expected to commence in 2014 including details from the original court life and May Day celebrations graffiti now housed in the city’s Museum of Wall Painting.
Once completed, the garden will provide a beautiful outdoor area for study, relaxation and small functions for students, researchers, conference delegates and other visitors to Palazzo Vai.
Photo acknowledgement: We thank the Ufficio Beni Culturali of the Diocese of Prato for permission to use the image of graffiti housed in the Museum of Wall Painting, San Domenico, Prato.