AKIPRESS.COM - A bolt of lightning has damaged an outer wall of the world-famous Scrovegni chapel decorated with priceless early 14th century frescoes painted by the master Giotto, art experts in the northern city of Padua said Thursday.

It was not clear if the fresco cycle, completed in about 1305, was damaged in what some cultural officials have called "a serious incident".

The lightning strike occurred about two weeks and Giuliano Pisani, a Giotto expert and former city councillor for cultural affairs, said it was "absolutely outrageous" that the incident was only now becoming publicly known.

Pisani said he had not yet been able to see the chapel to assess what damage may have occurred.

The chapel has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2002, underwent extensive renovations.