The Prato della Valle Statues, in Padua, stand in Italy's largest and Europe's second largest piazza (with a surface area of 88,620 sq.m). Although they had been restored many times since the late 1800s, they were looking the worse for wear recently, because the porosity of the material made them highly susceptible to moss, lichen and air pollution, which had turned them grey and grimy.
The current configuration of the piazza dates back to the late 18th Century, and features an elliptical central island, known as "Isola Memmia", surrounded by a watercourse. The banks of the watercourse are dotted with 78 statues depicting important figures from the Italian city's history, including university professors, artists, military leaders and rulers. The statues are made of Pietra di Vicenza, a soft limestone that's ideal for sculpting but also deteriorates easily.
They all needed anti-vegetation treatment with HYDROREP, a water-repellent protective product made by Fila Surface Care Solutions, which prevents the penetration of water and consequent biological colonisation, by creating a UV-resistant, anti-vegetation barrier. After deep-cleaning of the stone to restore the original appearance of the statues, the works required protective treatment to protect them against dirt and bacterial attack.
Delicate situations like the ones affecting the Prato della Valle statues can also affect domestic coverings exposed to rain or damp. To solve this type of problem, Fila has developed a new anti-vegetation system to sanitise and enhance exterior floors and walls, and protect them against algae, mould and lichen. It's called Filaalgae Net, the water-based version of the protective agent used on the statues in Padua.
