In Rome’s historic center, an artist and activist has started cleaning graffiti off centuries-old building facades, saying the goal is not to fight contemporary art. Instead, he’s focused on stopping what he calls senseless vandalism that leaves permanent marks on historic architecture.
According to the activist, the key is how the work gets done. He says he uses gentle means and methods to clean facades, aiming to avoid harming ancient masonry. He contrasts that approach with more aggressive cleaning sometimes used by municipal crews, which can risk damage to historic surfaces.
The effort has drawn positive feedback from residents and tourists. Some people have thanked him directly, and others have offered to help. The story also points to a wider issue in Rome: illegal inscriptions on historic buildings have been a persistent problem, and city services do not always remove the damage quickly.
For mason contractors and restoration teams, the situation is a familiar reminder that cleaning is part of preservation, not just appearance. On older masonry, the wrong approach can do lasting harm, and even well-intentioned work needs a light touch. Public attention also matters. When a facade is cleaned carefully, people notice, and that visibility can build support for ongoing maintenance, repair, and protection of historic walls.
The activist says he respects street art when it’s created in designated places. But he believes writing on monuments of history and architecture is unacceptable. By doing the work himself, he’s trying to show that caring for cultural heritage is not only the job of authorities and professional restorers, but also a responsibility shared by the community.
Read the full, original article from Inbox.lv here.