Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
Vinka Marinković Croatian Conservation Institute Split Conservation Department Section for Stone Conservation
Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
Diocletian’s Palace in Split was built in the period 295.-305., and is considered as one of the most significant and the best preserved monument of Late Antiquity
In 1979. the Palace was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Diocletian’s Palace (ideal reconstruction) , Ernest Hebrard, 1912. Diocletian’s Palace today
Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
In last 15 years the number of conservation- restoration interventions and archaeological researches in Palace are increasing. The reasons for this continual rise in the so-called heritage awareness may be found in the development of the professional field, in the enthusiastic acceptance of the most recent standards and trends in conservation-restauration field and in the rekindled national awareness after the Croatian Liberation War (1991.-1995.)
The chart show the number of conservation- restauration works and archaeological research in Diocletian s Palace in the period 1994.-2009. (V. Marinković, 2010.) Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
The projects were initalized, finacial supported and supervised by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, City of Split Municipality (Agency for Historic Core) and foreign partners: World Monuments Found, Antiqua Foundation and American Express Foundation The projects were held in the most by Croatian Conservation Institute and private companies with licence for the works on cultural heritage
Conservation- restoration works on temple of Jupiter (Marasović, 2009.) Conservation- restoration works on Golden gate, of Diocletian’s palace, after Roman mosaic, Arhiđakonova street restoration- conservation (V. Marinković, 2011.) (Croatian Conservation Institute, 2009.) Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
The biggest and most atractive conservation project in Diocletian’s Palace is conservation- restoration of the Peristyle The project started in 2004. with the initiative of the Agency for the Historic Core of the Municipal Authority of Split Contractor of the works is Croatian Conservation Institute (Department for stone conservation) Due to the complexity and extend of the intervention, the project of conservation is divided in 6. phases of the work
Phases of the works on the Peristyle of Diocletians Palace (Croatian Conservation Institute, 2011.)
Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
After detailed architectural and photographic documentation of the current state, pursuant to contemporary non-destructive testing techniques, on the stone areas of the Peristyle are encounter several types of damage and soiling: 1) Inorganic soiling (black crust, dark sediments) 2) Organic soiling (biological growths) 3) Erosion of the surface layer of the stone 4) Damage caused by soluble salts 5) Damage caused by metal corrosion 6) Structural damage 7) Inappropriate materials used in earlier operations
(1) (2) (3) (4) (6)
Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
The aim of conservation-restoration operation on Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace was to eliminate the cause of detoration and repair the damages.
The methodology was adopted during the first phase of the operations and was applyed on all phases: organic and inorganic soiling is removed from the surface of the stone(1); soluble salts are drawn out of the structure of the stone(2); iron elements in the stone are extracted and were replaced with new elements of stainless metal (3); the cement in the bonds between the stone blocks is replaced with acrylic-lime mortar; cement patches are removed; structural damage is reconsructed (4); unstable parts of the stone surfaces are consolidated and suitable surface protection preparations are applied to the stone…
(1) (2) (3) (4) Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle,
Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
RESULTS
THE Capital of the east colonnade before and after restoration works (Croatian Conservation Institute, 2010.)
Part of the east colonnade with completed restoration works; 1st phase of the project (Croatian Conservation Institute, 2005.)
West Peristyle front after the restoration works (Croatian Conservation Capitals of the east colonnade after restoration works (Croatian Conservation Institute, 2008.) Institute, 2010.)
Conservation-restoration works at Peristyle, Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia
The Peristyle conservation- restoration project had multiple effect:
1) Aesthetic ( soiling that uglified the stone is removed ) 2) “Healthy” (the cause of damaging were reduced to the minimum) 3) Educative (the public was made keenly aware of problems that been considered only by a narrow circle of experts- conservators, archaelogist; this is an outstanding opportunity for young experts) 4) Urbanistic (the works helped in defining old city core and revitalisation of that part of Palace)