The Angeli del Bello (Angels of Beauty) Association has been honored with the “La Bella Verona” award for 2024. The Verona-based volunteer organization is dedicated to conserving the city’s historical and public places, and this recognition celebrates their tireless commitment and efforts. The prize was presented on Saturday, December 2nd, in the Sala Arazzi of Verona’s city hall, on the anniversary of Verona’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.
A Mission for Civic Beauty
The Angels of Beauty, founded in 2016, works to restore and maintain Verona’s monuments and public areas. Their first project, a restoration of the Chiesa di Santo Stefano’s 5th-century wall damaged by graffiti, required 110 hours of rigorous cleaning, demonstrating the group’s dedication to preserving the city’s heritage. Their continued efforts include cleaning up ruined areas, removing stickers off public signs, and removing graffiti from precious elements of architecture.
The organization operates with approximately 90 members, divided into specialized teams. These include the “poles group,” which addresses urban signage and utility boxes, and the “sécio e penèl” (bucket and brush) team, which focuses on removing marks from the stonework. By working under a special convention with local authorities, the Angels can act swiftly, bypassing bureaucratic delays to tackle public maintenance projects.
One notable intervention was cleaning Ponte Pietra, a historic Roman bridge. The project involved 16 volunteers, 320 hours of work, and 400 kilos of quartz sand to erase graffiti, restoring the bridge’s timeless beauty. Additionally, some projects engage refugees, who receive bicycles as a token of appreciation for their contributions.
Broader Community Impact
Beyond physical rehabilitation, Angels of Beauty promote community involvement and education. Their “Little Angels” initiative partners with 20 local schools, ranging from kindergarten to middle school, to teach students the value of environmental stewardship and social duty. Through hands-on activities, the organization instills pride in protecting Verona’s common spaces.
