The Blue Shield at Palazzo d’Accursio for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
On Saturday, May 9th, the Blue Shield was unveiled on the facade of Palazzo d’Accursio in Piazza Maggiore. The initiative took place during the celebrations for the 160th anniversary of the Red Cross, in the presence of Mayor Matteo Lepore, City Councillor Roberta Toschi, and the President of the Bologna Red Cross, Marco Gamberini.
The Hague Convention and Heritage Protection
The Blue Shield is the international symbol used to identify cultural property that must be protected in the event of armed conflict. Its adoption stems from the Hague Convention of May 14, 1954, created under the auspices of UNESCO following the destruction of World War II.
The placement of the shield aims to identify and signal, even in peacetime, buildings of great importance to the heritage of humanity.
By placing this symbol on Palazzo d’Accursio, the Municipality of Bologna and the Red Cross reaffirm their commitment to protecting the city's historical heritage, ensuring that its cultural significance is recognized and respected in accordance with international law.
