The famous bell-tower that dominates Venice's main square is to be ringed with titanium belts to make sure it continues to dominate the scene for many years to come.
Authorities in the lagoon city stress that the measure is merely a "precaution" and that there are no immediate fears for St Mark's bell-tower, which was built a century ago, after the previous 16th-century structure collapsed.
The aesthetics of the much photographed, 99-metre 'campanile' and the surrounding area will not be affected, officials say.
This is because the rings of titanium bars are to be wrapped around the underground foundations, at depths of 1 metre and 3.5 metres.
Over the last 50 years small cracks have appeared in the foundations of the bell-tower. Experts say that, although they are growing only very slowly, it is time to take action.
"We're talking about an external support which will go round the base of the tower to consolidate it and prevent any possibility of movement," said Claudio Menichelli, an architect who advises the lagoon city's administration.
The work is expected to take around 18 months and be finished by the end of 2008.
The original St Mark's campanile, one of the symbols of Venice, was completed in 1156-73 on the site of an older tower dating back to around 900 AD.
It collapsed in July 1902 and an exact replica was built in just ten years.
Affectionately nicknamed El Paron de Casa (The Gaffer), it commands a magnificent view over the city and its lagoon.
