Разслояване на стенописни фрагменти в Боянската църква
Stratification of Mural Fragments in the Boyana Church

Summary/Abstract: The article treats an aspects of restoration work conducted in 2006 by Prof. Grigori Grigorov and Vladimir Tzvetkov concerning the murals in the naos of the Boyana Church. The greatest difficulties in this monument follow from the interventions, which have taken place during the first half of the 20th century. Specialists, who have worked at that time, have used materials, estimated as counter-indicative from a contemporary point of view, although the kinds of operations implemented with the purpose of consolidating the construction of the problematic area, are correct and are still applied nowadays. One of the main problems is the cement, which has been integrated in the mural structure. It is material properties inappropriate and even harmful for the monumental paintings (powerful salts-generating factor, high dead weight and strong hygroscopic capacity). A decision was taken to remove the cement from several areas by means of stratification. Stratification is one of the most complicated restoration techniques, it is considered rather risky and its application has brought on many discussions. With a view to the objective condition of the murals this kind of cement intervention was estimated to be the most adequate to the particular case. During the period June-November 2006 4 fragments in the southern bay of the nave were treated there - three from the scene The Visit of the Virgin and one from the scene of The Nativity of Christ. Two different approaches were chosen. When removing the cement a face was discovered under one of the fragments - this is the sole preserved image of the paint layer dated from the 12th century. The stratification work was accomplished successfully and decreased the risks for the further preservation of the murals.

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