La Fondazione Giorgio Cini. Settant’anni di storia, edited by Pasquale Gagliardi and Egidio Ivetic and published by Marsilio, is the third volume marking the historical stages of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, after Venezia 1951 – 1971. Vent’anni di attività della Fondazione Giorgio Cini (Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice 1972) and La Fondazione Giorgio Cini. Cinquant’anni di storia, edited by U. Agnati (Electa, Milan 2001). This book thus follows on from the previous two by highlighting what has been achieved in the 21st century, which saw a new phase in the life of the Foundation. The recent history of the Foundation is reviewed, including a commemoration of the most important cultural figure in its development, Vittore Branca, who died in 2004.

The contributions to the book are divided into two sections: “A New Landscape” and “Reports and Personal Accounts”. In the first section, several authors describe the architectural restorations and art works of the past twenty years, enabling the Foundation to update into a material and cultural landscape capable of meeting the demands of our age. In the second, the authors reflect on the experiences of cultural life, research and study, the activities of the institutes and research centres, and the wealth of archives, collections and artistic heritage. Seen overall, the book pays tribute to the Foundation on San Giorgio Maggiore by bearing witness to an extraordinary place.