Description:
The Church of the Virgin in Timotesubani (12th - 13th c.) is one of the most important religious and cultural landmarks in Georgia. Built during the "Golden Age" of Georgian history, it contains unique cycle of mural paintings (1205-1215). Due to water infiltration and inappropriate earlier treatments, the church was suffering from serious conservation problems: flaking and powdering of both the paint and plaster layers, with salt efflorescence. Diffuse microbilogical damage resulted in a pink patina over much of the painting and plaster. As a consequence, the Georgian Arts and Culture Center called on Conservazione Beni Cultural to assist in the implementation of a full scale project to study the microbiological deterioration of the frescos and to elaborate a project and treatment methodology for the rehabilitation of this outstanding monument. A series of problems pertinent not only to the work examined but also to a large number of other important sites in Georgia and worldwide were identified, and could act as a framework for their treatment. In addition the project facilitated the exchange of professional knowledge between the foreign consultants and Georgian professionals and students.