Conservation of Hagia Kyriaki, Naxos (Greece)
Conservation of Hagia Kyriaki, Naxos (Greece) by the J.F. Costopoulos Foundation or through the Greek organisation Elliniki Etairia, with donations from the A.G. Levants Foundation and Athanasios and Marina Martinos (Europa Nostra Award 2018)
In the 2018 edition, the jury praised the sensibility displayed in the conservation of this structure which, along with the wall paintings, was treated with the utmost respect. This particular monument is considered representative of an important period in European thought. Efforts in international interdisciplinary cooperation have yielded excellent results with the collaboration of private and public bodies. Given the remote and unique natural landscape surrounding the monument, the authors have gone to great lengths with its preservation. As a result of this, what in Europe is considered an oft-overlooked type of heritage has been receiving some much-needed attention and recognition. According to experts this project is an excellent example to be followed, especially on Naxos, where it is possible to find dozens of Byzantine churches in ruins that are also in urgent need of preservation intervention. The unique wall paintings found in the Byzantine church of Hagia Kyriaki date from the 8th or 9th century, during one of the two periods of Iconoclasm (726-787 CE; 813-843 CE). The secluded rural location of this church was neglected for years and this project is a remarkable example of international cooperation within Europe.
Brief analysis of the case:
It is a small religious building of rural character, but of great value both for its original state and for the frescoes inside. The restoration, financed entirely by private donations, has been carried out using traditional materials and techniques already present in the building and carried out by local tradesmen. The actions carried out were limited to cleaning and consolidating the materials both inside and outside, repairing the roof with the same material, and grouting the masonry. The principles employed in the restoration were minimal intervention (only those actions necessary for the material conservation of the building and its frescoes were carried out), respect for authenticity (each part of the existing building and its materiality were maintained and conserved), material compatibility (the materials used were those already in the building, so there were no incompatibilities), structural compatibility (no foreign elements were introduced into the existing structure), durability (due to the use of traditional materials). The intervention also respects the rural and humble character of the building.