THE SURVEY OF THE MONUMENTAL FOUNTAIN IN THE TOWN OF DALMINE: A PRELIMINARY WORK FOR THE CONSERVATION PROJECT

Abstract

The Monumental Fountain of Dalmine was built to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Benito Mussolini’s historical address held on March 20, 1919, to which the square was dedicated. In the basin stood a large marble block on which some sentences of the Duce’s speech were carved. The work was partially destroyed at the end of the World War II and the block was removed. Today, what remains of the Dalmine Fountain constitutes the privileged meeting place of the city. However, it has great sealing problems as well as high management and maintenance costs, which prevent its normal functioning. Consequently, it is kept empty for many months of the year and filled with water only in the summer. This essay intends to propose a study based on the analysis of historical sources and 3D survey and modelling techniques aimed to understand the historical and urban value of the monument, to support its conservation and to enhance its role as a central meeting point for the town.