Restoration project of the mural paintings of the Dragomirna Monastery Church

Abstract

"The main Church of the Dragomirna Monastery has its nave and altar decorated mural paintings which date back to as early as the early 17th century. These were created in the affresco technique, with areas completed in mezzo fresco, and extensive gilded surfaces. There is a wide diversity of stone-carved elements– flowers, ribs, torsade embossing, sculpted and painted shields, which cannot be found in any previous mediaeval churches in Moldavia. These elements complete the iconographic programme of the painting, which spans over 22 registers, differentiating and defining the uniqueness of Dragomirna. A series of degradations due to infiltration, which occurred over time in the upper part of the nave and the base of the bell tower, led to the architectural restoration of the Church in the ‘60s. The mural painting is first restored 400 years after its creation. The complex works were possible through the implementation of a project funded by the European Union between November 10th 2010 and February 15th 2012.The ample restauration and conservation process of the 900 square meters of mural painting highlighted its amazing original appearance and its artistic elements influenced by the techniques and chromatics of miniature painting. The interventions have been carried out in accordance with the international standards of conservation and involved a team of 50 specialists. The project ‘Dragomirna Church’s 17th Century Frescoes,Suceava, ROMÂNIA’ has been among the winners of the 2014 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in the ‘Conservation’ category. The project has received the Grand Prix and the Public Choice Award. "