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Venice in Peril raises funds for the conservation of at-risk monuments and art in Venice

Venice in Peril is dedicated to spreading the message that Venice is so fragile that it will survive only as long as people want it to survive and are prepared to spend a great deal of money and energy on looking after it. The Venice in Peril Fund was created after the great flood of 1966, when the waters rose to nearly two meters above mean water-level. Since then it has disbursed millions of pounds for the restoration of Venetian monuments, buildings and works of art. Il Venice in Peril Fund

Il Venice in Peril Fund è impegnato a garantire la sostenibilità di Venezia. Agisce come lobby e lavora per trovare risposte ad alcune delle cruciali questioni ecologiche, demografiche e socio-economiche alle quali si trova confrontata la città lagunare. Le nostre risorse vanno a favore del continuo lavoro di conservazione necessario per mantenere viva questa magica città, fragile sotto il profilo ambientale.

06/10/2026

Last night, we were delighted to hear art historian and former trustee and treasurer of the Venice in Peril Fund, David Landau, speak at the Society of Antiquaries on Albrecht Dürer’s time in Venice in 1506.

Drawing on Dürer’s surviving letters, David explored the artist’s experiences in Venice and his encounters with the city’s artistic world.

It was a particularly lively evening, with many long-standing supporters and friends of Venice in Peril Fund in attendance. We were also pleased to see so many of our guests engaging with David’s work and taking the opportunity to purchase copies of his latest book, Art on the Move in Renaissance Italy.

Our thanks to David Landau for such an engaging and illuminating evening, and to everyone who joined us.

28/09/2026

We had a busy September in London, with a wonderful series of events celebrating Venice.

At the Queen’s House in Greenwich, members of the Venice in Peril Fund and the British Italian Society enjoyed a fascinating afternoon exploring the building’s Italian and Venetian connections, from Inigo Jones and Palladio to Artemisia Gentileschi and Canaletto. The afternoon was rounded off with tea, cake and a chance to try the camera obscura for themselves.

At the Royal Geographical Society, a special Venice edition of 5×15 brought together five leading cultural figures — Francesco da Mosto, Geoff Dyer, Sara Wheeler, Martin Gayford and Stephen Bayley — in aid of the Venice in Peril Fund’s Acqua Granda Appeal.

We also gathered at the Alan Baxter Gallery, in partnership with Pallas Athene Books, to celebrate the 60th anniversary edition of Venice for Pleasure, the much-loved guidebook that has introduced generations of readers to the character, art and hidden corners of Venice.

A wonderful start to our autumn programme, and a pleasure to share these moments with our supporters and friends.

The British italian Society
5x15
Pallas Athene Books

07/09/2026

Having completed her conservation, the historic Disdotona gondola once again took to the lagoon waters as part of the spectacular Regata Storica, celebrating the history of Venetian maritime heritage.

Venice in Peril Fund has been delighted to support the conservation of this unique gondola (Venice’s largest, the name deriving from its 18 oars) and it was a particular pleasure to hear the Mayor of Venice pay tribute to the Disdotona in his speech, referring to the gondola as a symbol of the city.

It was thrilling to see one of our valued supporters of this project out on the water, having taken up our invitation to share in this memorable occasion from aboard the Disdotona itself, in the _posto d’onore_. Our Vice Chair, Anthony Roberts and another supporter were also able to follow the regatta from the water in the Mussin gondola, while other ViPF representatives enjoyed the privilege of watching the spectacle from the Macchina, the Mayor’s grandstand. We are most grateful to the Querini rowing club, and the Mayor, for their kind invitations.

R.S.Canottieri Francesco Querini 1901

Image credit: JPS (images 1,2,6 & 7)

07/07/2026

We were honoured by the visit of Italian Ambassador Fabio Cassese and his wife Flaminia Battistelli Cassese to ‘Esto Perpetua’ at Belmacz ahead of Friday’s finissage. They were welcomed by Julia Muggenburg, the gallery’s founder, together with Lavinia Filippi, the exhibition’s curator and Director of Venice in Peril, and artist artisan and Coronelli expert Leonardo Frigo.

The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about Leonardo Frigo’s research before celebrating Esto Perpetua’s reach and scope with supporters and friends. This exhibition has explored themes of memory, preservation and transformation through the lens of Venice and its enduring cultural heritage.

Thanks to all who came.
in.uk

Image 1 credit: Peter Otto

01/07/2026

Looking back to last month at a memorable evening celebrating the completion of Antonio Canova’s Cavallo Colossale.

Hosted in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of London, the evening opened with welcomes from Francesco Bongarrà, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Anthony Roberts, Vice Chairman of ViPF and Nicola Finco, Mayor of Bassano del Grappa, before a fascinating conversation between Barbara Guidi, Director of the Musei Civici di Bassano, and Christopher Baker, Editor of The Burlington Magazine about the remarkable story of the conservation, Canova’s position as the leading sculptor of his day, and his inspiration and technical mastery. As Christopher Baker observed, this extraordinary undertaking was more of a resurrection than a restoration.

We were delighted to premiere a short documentary film produced by Joan Porcel Studio, charting the restoration of the Cavallo, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

We were especially pleased to welcome those from Bassano del Grappa, and Passarella Restauri. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

Video credit: Tommaso Giacomin for Joan Porcel Studio

12/06/2026

We are delighted to share an image of conservator Rossana Allegri, at work in her laboratory on the esteemed altarpiece by Paolo Veneziano, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Two Donors. Following an extensive non-invasive diagnostics campaign, Dott.ssa Allegri has begun her major intervention on the Veneziano, which is the Gallerie dell’Accademia’s oldest painting.

While the work is unusually complete, retaining its original frame and panel structure, its wood and painted surfaces are fragile. Initial phases of conservation include preventative treatment of the fourteenth-century panel against wood-boring insects and undertaking cleaning tests. Before full cleaning is undertaken, Dott.ssa Allegri will work carefully with a microscope across the entire panel to stabilise extensive areas of microscopic paint lifting. We look forward to keeping you updated as conservation progresses.

Learn more about this project on our website.

01/06/2026

The Disdotona ceremonial gondola, the longest and most prestigious ever built in Venice, once again took to the waters this year during the Festa della Sensa Regattas, one of Venice’s most significant annual celebrations.

Venice in Peril Fund is delighted to share images of this remarkable vessel as it appears in its annual role within one of Venice’s most evocative and historic maritime celebrations. The Sensa Regattas form part of a tradition which commemorates Venice’s enduring relationship with the sea.

The Disdotona, commissioned to celebrate and preserve Venetian rowing traditions and boatbuilding skills, is seen here both in procession and in the distinctive moment of salute, with oars raised in tribute. Its presence on the water among the other vessels reflects the continuing vitality of these living traditions, upheld by the city’s rowing communities.

We are pleased that the Disdotona also participated in the 50th anniversary of the Vogalonga on 24 May, joining another important occasion dedicated to Venice’s rowing heritage and lagoon culture.

19/05/2026

Looking back to last Tuesday and the Kirker Annual Spring Lecture in aid of Venice in Peril Fund. Once again the RGS was filled to the rafters with friends of Venice in Peril, discerning travellers from Kirker and this year many new faces from the literary world who came in support of renowned travel writer and biographer, Sara Wheeler, who delivered a gripping talk delving into the nuanced relationship and importance of Venice to Jan Morris, full of humorous moments and insights not contained in her recently published book, “Jan Morris: A Life”. We were delighted to welcome 550 attendees, and thank and for their support.

A recording of Sara’s lecture is available for purchase on our website.

30/04/2026

We are delighted to announce a new conservation project, La Disdotona — the largest and most prestigious Venetian gondola ever built.

At 24 metres long and powered by 18 oars (disdoto, meaning “eighteen” in Venetian dialect), it represents a living symbol of the Venetian rowing tradition and masterful boatbuilding. Originally commissioned in 1903 by the Francesco Querini Rowing Club, La Disdotona is now in its third incarnation (1973). While it continues ceremonial duties for which it was commissioned, such as joining the Festa della Sensa marking Venice’s historic ‘Marriage with the Sea’, the vessel also proudly represents Venice on an international stage, including appearances at Henley Royal Regatta in 2004 and the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.

After five decades of service, the gondola now requires urgent conservation to secure its future and remain watertight. The project will replace damaged wooden elements, strengthen joints and fittings, and revive its decorative details, ensuring La Disdotona continues to embody Venetian maritime heritage for generations to come. Learn more about the project on our website.

23/04/2026

Celebrations at St George’s Anglican Church in Venice, last Sunday.

Venice in Peril Fund supporter, Rosemary Yallop co-organised a very beautiful and heartfelt occasion of commemoration.

The day marked two important anniversaries: 120 years since the original dedication of the Church, and 100 years since the installation of the bronze doors which serve as a memorial to the British servicemen who died on the Italian front and at sea in the First World War.

Venice in Peril Fund is proud to have conserved these historic doors in 2014, whose creation from two historic British Army cannons involved the collaboration of the War Council in London, the British Ambassador in Rome, the advising Italian architect, the sculptor Napoleone Martinuizzi, as well as support from diplomatic, ecclesiastical and military representatives and many British residents in Venice.

The recent celebrations were officiated by ‘s outgoing chaplain, Very Revd Lucinda Laird, and Rt Revd Andrew Norman, Suffragan Bishop in Europe and enriched by a solo from Liesl Odenweller of as well as other musical contributions by a choir from Cambridge. We were pleased that many Venice in Peril Fund Trustees, Patrons, friends and supporters were able to attend.

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