Is there a guide book on what is authentic and original in Italy?

Hi Francis,

It is common to feel that way after a visit to Italy. With more than 2400 years of history, after all, not EVERYTHING can be as it was.

The Senate building was reconstructed a number of times - you will find accurate information here at wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curia_Julia

The Capitoline she wolf you see outside the Capitoline hill is a copy. The true statue is inside the Capitoline Museums.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitoline_Wolf

A good guide book should explain not only the history behind each monument, but also what is original and what is a copy or restoration. Granted, there is only so much information the books can publish on each monument.

Hi Francis: I've noticed you ask questions that are fun to think about, different from the usual nuts & bolts questions we get here that are, I guess, of more immediate concern to most tourists.

I feel the same way. I am absolutely in love with ancient and Renaissance Italy and even though I understand the reasoning behind it, I'm upset to think I'm looking at 21st century renovations. In Arles, recently, they are rebuilding the Roman Arena with stark white stones.

In traveling through Europe, there are lots of places, buildings, etc. which are reconstructions.
World War II created a lot of damage to historic sites and these were for the most part rebuilt in the years following the war. Dresden is a prime example. When I first visited East Berlin in 1964, many of the historic buildings were still in ruins.
Now (since the reunification), these have been reconstructed. Should you visit Monte Cassino in Italy, that is a total reconstruction after being bombed by the Allies during WWII in a controversial
action.

Usually when reading up on places to visit, you
will find out about these reconstructions. What may not be pointed out however are the repairs, etc. that
have been made over the years. Especially in modern times, pollution has caused an enormous amount of damage to old buildings and monuments. It is like your house: constant repair and upkeep.

In certain cases, where feasible, the original
has been replaced by a replica and the original moved to a safer locaton under climate controlled conditions. This is true of the Marly horses in the Place de la Concorde in Paris which now reside inside the LOuvre with replicas in their original location. In the Musee D'Orsay on the ground floor, you will find a wonderful sculpture removed from the facade of the Opera House for preservation reasons.
There are original sculptures from the facade of Notre Dame residing in the Musee du Moyen Age...although in this case, I believe they were removed during the Revolution by the rebels and later found. Everyone is upfront about these substitutions.

Time does take its toll!!!!

These days the favoured methodology for reconstruction work or significant repairs to ancient monuments is to undertake them with different materials. If this is not suitable different colours are used. You are then able to see what is new and what is original.

Some visitors are not happy with this but conservationists believe that it is a more honest approach.

When in Rome, Thank you.

The Capitoline She-Wolf has been radio-carbon dated to be no older than the 8th century.

It is old, it is beautiful, but not the original 5th Century BC. sculpture everyone believed it to be, or mentioned by Cicero. Thats okay, it isn't an intentional fake.

There is another she-wolf in Pisa by the way - maybe this is the Original?

Grazie Ciao!

For these kind of details, I think the DK guidebooks are the best.