The Church of the Assumption received its current Baroque appearance at the end of the 17th century, while the smaller shrine dedicated to St. Mary was erected as early as in the 8th century. The original church was later repeatedly rebuilt and the Romanesque design features were replaced in the 15th century by Gothic ones. All the preceding building phases were preserved and presented beneath the flooring, with the impressive murals in the presbytery reminiscent of the Gothic period that depict scenes from St. Mary’s life. The last larger undertakings took place in the church in the 1970s.
Conservation and restoration undertakings
On the basis of studies, the IPCHS Restoration Centre created a conservation plan for the church at the beginning of 2016, on the basis of which the first phase of the conservation and restoration renovation of the church began two months ago. The guidelines in the conservation plan also determined the renovation of the plaster, murals, wooden and stone building fixtures and fittings, as well as the historic furnishings including sculptures and paintings.
The effects of inappropriate past undertakings and damage was removed from the interior plaster, then the church was re-plastered with lime whitewash. The undertakings were carried out by the Gnom d.o.o. restoration company. Renovation of the electrical wiring, sound system and lighting, while the wooden window frames and window sashes were disassembled and taken for restoration at the workshop (Bo Consulting).
The conservation and restoration work on the stone window frames, shelves and portals made of tuff were carried out in situ, with the window wrought iron window grids also being renovated.
After the rough work was finished, work began on the Gothic wall paintings in the presbytery which initially meant the removal of unsuitable past undertakings (whitewashes, plaster work and paint-overs) and dirt, as well as reinforcing where damage had been done to the painting.
The first phase of work is completed.
In the following years, the renovation as well as the conservation and restoration work will be carried out on the church façade, the alters and church equipment.
Author: Katarina Odlazek Photography: Tine Benedik, Mirko Kunšič
