Conservation, Consolidation and Restoration of Holy Annunciation Church of Vătășești Village, Region of Oltenia, Romania: Fid-Bau Portal

Conservation, Consolidation and Restoration of Holy Annunciation Church of Vătășești Village, Region of Oltenia, Romania

Moșoarcă, Marius / Popovici, Traianus / Roseti, Tamara

Abstract

The present article discusses the process of structural consolidation and architectural restoration of a late 18th century, brick masonry built, orthodox church located in Vătășești village, Vâlcea county, Romania, presenting the complete process of diagnosis, the edited structural and architectural projects, also the completed conservation and restauration works. The church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and The Holy Annunciation and it is listed under the LMI code (List of historical monuments of Romania) VL-II-m-B-09968. Its registration in the list of historical monuments inscribed in the National Cultural Heritage of Romania was realized especially thanks to its original byzantine style mural paintings (frescoes) still left almost intact on the interior walls, the only serious damage made to it being found on the paintings once found on the outside walls. The purpose of this article is to show the steps of the restoration process applied in this example, starting with the methods of diagnosis, such as the drawn survey, photographic documentation, 3D scanning using laser scan technology, topographic report, geological report, archeological report, structural analysis using 3D modelling and the Etabs software, the report of mural paintings conservation and restoration experts, chemical analysis of the painted surface and humidity reports. The materials and techniques used for the consolidation and restoration works are non-ivasive, ecological and reversible, using steel nets and hydraulic lime for the consolidation of the brick masonry. The architectural interventions on the drainage system, facades, roof, interior floors, lighting system, and all the interventions that the article describes were subordinated by the need to preserve and highlight the Romanian orthodox frescoes that give great value to the monument.