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The Brion Memorial: a Symbol of Conjugal Love
The Brion Memorial, also known as the Brion Tomb, is a monumental funeral complex located in San Vito, in the province of Treviso. Commissioned to the Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa in 1969 by Giuseppe Brion's wife, founder of Brionvega, the complex was intended to house the remains of Brion and some relatives.
The complex was designed and built from 1970 to 1978 and was immediately seen as a symbol of conjugal love. The Brion Tomb was designed and built because the Brion couple was madly in love and the funeral site has become a place of peace and meditation open to all.
In addition to the remains of Giuseppe Brion and his relatives, the memorial also houses those of the architect Carlo Scarpa and his wife. In 2018, the Brion Tomb was restored by the same architect who had supervised the work of creating the work and in 2022 was donated to the Italian Environment Fund.
The Structure of the Brion Memorial
The monumental funeral complex is structured in the shape of an "upside-down L" and is enclosed by a wall inclined at 60 degrees. The level of the ground inside the enclosure wall is higher than the surrounding ground, symbolizing the burial mound. The memorial consists of 5 main buildings built in reinforced concrete.
At the entrance from the village cemetery there are the propylaea, a portal that has on the back wall the motif of the two interlocking rings, one covered in blue mosaic and the other pink, symbolizing conjugal love.
To the right of the propylaea there is a water basin with a pavilion, while to the left there is an arch/bridge with the graves of the Brion spouses. To the north there is a chapel leaning against the enclosure wall and finally a cubical-shaped church on the arm of the "L" closest to the entrance from the road.
The Meaning of the Brion Tomb
The Brion Tomb represents a symbol of conjugal love. Its design was built to express the importance of the bond between married people and to celebrate the love that unites them. The monumental funeral complex develops in an open and peaceful space, where people can walk, rest and reflect in peace.
Carlo Scarpa's project was carried out with great attention to detail and using precious materials, such as marble and mosaics. Every element of the memorial was carefully arranged and had a precise meaning. The unusual design of the building, its "upside-down L" structure and the enclosure wall inclined at 60 degrees create a unique and evocative atmosphere.
The Restoration of the Brion Memorial
In 2018, Ennio Brion, son of Giuseppe and Onorina, commissioned the restoration of the Brion Memorial to the architect Guido Pietropoli, a pupil of Carlo Scarpa. The restoration was of a conservative type and took three years of work. Thanks to the 2200 original Scarpa drawings kept at the MAXXI - Architecture Archives Center, the architect was able to give new life to the memorial, without altering its original meaning.
The restoration involved the enclosure wall inclined at 60 degrees and the other buildings that make up the memorial. Cleaning and consolidation interventions were carried out on the marble surfaces, which were then given a protective treatment to prevent deterioration caused by erosion and weathering.
The Brion Memorial Today
In 2022, the Brion Memorial was donated to the Italian Environment Fund (FAI) by Ennio Brion and his sister Donatella. The memorial has become the 70th asset of the FAI and continues to be a symbol of conjugal love and a place of peace and meditation open to all.
The restoration of the Brion Memorial has preserved its beauty and ensured that it will be enjoyed by future generations. The Brion Tomb is not just a burial site, but an architectural work of art capable of conveying emotions and making people reflect on life and death.
