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Article: Venice to Strengthen Bell Tower
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- January 31, 2007
CopyrightCopyright 2007 Associated Press/AP Online. This material is published under license from the publisher through YellowBrix, Alexandria, Virginia. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to YellowBrix. (Hide copyright information)
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ROME - One of Italy's most famous bell towers needs rescuing.
Authorities in Venice said Wednesday that they plan to strengthen the foundations of St. Mark's bell tower.
Fissures in the 321-foot bell tower's foundations initially were spotted in 1939 and since have grown by .04 inches since, said Ettore Vio, an architect and the curator of St. Mark's Basilica.
"There's a progression of the damage and we don't know if it is going to continue slowly or quickly," Vio said. "The right answer is to be prudent."
The bell tower is a replica of the original, built in the ninth century, which collapsed in 1902.
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