Abstract
The indoor microclimate of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova (Italy) was analysed first in the ‘80s. The early study operates in the best way for what concerns the choice of measurement devices and their positioning. Starting from 1995 a Scientific-technical Board coordinates the various initiatives commissioned for the surveys of a conservation of the Scrovegni building structures and for the preservation of frescos. However only during the last ten years, the activities of the Board have been addressed also on the study of the hypogeal environments under the Chapel and in the external environment around it in order to prevent possible damage due to the presence of water which frequently submerges the floor and part of the vertical structures of the crypt (perimeter walls and brick partitions). The investigations have been therefore extended to the crypt. The present work reports the preliminary results of the cyclical survey campaign launched last year and still ongoing: passive thermographic techniques (non-invasive and non-destructive) have been used for the identification and the investigation of the relationship between the boundary seasonal thermohygrometric conditions and the rainfall variations and other exogenous phenomena related to the complex water system of the area on which the Scrovegni Chapel stands.
Highlights
For the purposes of preservation, the knowledge of environmental conditions near the artifacts is fundamental and the knowledge should refer to a sufficiently large period of time
It is necessary to detect all changes in the medium and long term, indispensable for defining a reliable climatic history of the artwork, which describes the variation of the boundary conditions, and the management of the environment and installations and the influence of visitors. This methodology was tested inside the Scrovegni Chapel starting from ‘80s when the first indoor climate campaign was proposed by the Municipality [1]
The investigations have been extended to the crypt: the analysis of the indoor microclimate and the use of IR thermography can help to identify the mechanisms responsible for the presence of water
Summary
For the purposes of preservation, the knowledge of environmental conditions near the artifacts is fundamental and the knowledge should refer to a sufficiently large period of time. It is necessary to detect all changes in the medium and long term, indispensable for defining a reliable climatic history of the artwork, which describes the variation of the boundary conditions, and the management of the environment and installations and the influence of visitors This methodology was tested inside the Scrovegni Chapel starting from ‘80s when the first indoor climate campaign was proposed by the Municipality [1]. A first monitoring covered the period September 1992 - August 1993 [3] before a preliminary restoration conducted by the Central Institute of Restoration in 1994: measures air temperature, humidity and surface temperatures collected during this period made it possible to characterize the internal microclimate, evaluate the thermal exchanges with the external environment and the. The new measurements campaign starts in Novembrer 2017 and it is still ongoing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
