LA CONSERVAZIONEDEI DIPINTI MURALI DELLE CRIPTE DEL

SALENTO: UNA REVIEW SU ALCUNI INTERVENTI DI RESTAURO

ESEGUITI NEGLI ULTIMI15 ANNI

Giovanni Quarta , Davide Melica1 1

1 IstitutoperiBeniArcheologicieMonumentaliCNR–Lecce,

CampusUNISalentoViaMonteroni73100Lecce. g.quarta@ibam.cnr.it;

ABSTRACT

Within conservation works concerning Cultural Heritage, the hypogeic systems are undoubtedly those that

pose the biggest problems both for preventive diagnosis, and intervention, as well as for monitoring and

maintenance. In general, the state of conservation of the paintings present in the hypogeal environment is

quite often very precarious, due to the severe environmental conditions, characterized by high values ​of​

relative humidity (always very close to 100%) and due to the human actions that have involved them over

time. In this work, starting from the previous diagnostic data (state of conservation and analytical data)

attached to the original design, we report the results of a study aimed to evaluate the evolution of the

restoration works carried out over the past 15 years on some of the most important crypts of Salento. In

particular, four crypts have been chosen namely the Crypt of San Salvatore at Giurdignano, datable to the

XII century and restored in 1999; the crypt of Favana at Veglie(IX-XI century), restored in 1998, the Crypt

of Santa Cristina in Carpignano Salentino (X–XI) century), restored in 1998 and the Crypt of the Crocifisso

inUgento(XIII–XVIIcentury),restoredin2006.

The data on the present conservation status are complex to be interpreted: while parts of the restored

paintings are in good condition, other ones show a heavy biological re-growth or an even worse dangerous

salt crystallizations. This result is to be analyzed in detail to understand what were the critical points of the

interventions or, if these are to be found in the post-intervention phase, whether they are to be referred to the

absenceofmonitoringand/orscheduledmaintenance.

Key-words: SalentoCrypts,Conservationofhypogealartefacts,Rupestrianchurches