In preparation for the conservation and restoration restoration of the main altar of the Church of the Annunciation of the Lord to the Virgin Mary in Kostanjevica in Nova Gorica, experts discovered that the graceful mural of the Virgin Mary of Kostanjevica is actually much larger than the altar niche, as part of it is hidden under the stone altar and the arch panels.
The Slovenian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage wishes all lovers of culture and heritage an inspiring Slovenian cultural holiday. May your heritage connect you, enrich you and accompany you in many beautiful moments.
Today, 6 February, Vrba hosts the opening ceremony of the renovated Prešeren House and Homestead.
kostanjevica v novi gorici
A larger and hitherto hidden painting is revealed under the stone altar
Preparations for the restoration of the main altar and the image of grace
In 2026, the main altar of the Church of the Annunciation of the Lord to the Virgin Mary in Kostanjevica, Nova Gorica, will be conserved and restored. Part of the altar is the grace image of Our Lady of Kostanjevica, which represents the spiritual, symbolic and historical heart of the church. Due to the extraordinary importance of this mural for the wider cultural space and the complex restoration work that is expected to be carried out, on Tuesday, experts from the Restoration Centre and the New Gorizia unit of the ZVKDS carried out a number of investigations.
The mural was examined using a thermographic camera, which allows the structural irregularities of the support to be observed. Nine samples were taken from the mural for laboratory analysis to identify the number of paintings and the materials used. These may also help us to place the paintings in their historical context.
Advanced analyses and the first big surprise
Multispectral analysis was also carried out on the surface of the artwork. First, we illuminated the image with visible light at different angles to show the surface structure and visual changes. We then proceeded with infrared illumination, which can reveal the colour layers just below the surface. These images help us to distinguish some of the pigments from each other and to observe the inscriptions on the underlying graphite. Finally, we documented the image with ultraviolet fluorescence, which showed us very clearly the subsequent additions such as retouches, mappings and protective coatings.
The first major surprise has already been revealed in the painting, which is almost a habit in the multi-year restoration of the Kostanjevica monastery church. It turned out that the mural was in fact much larger than the altar niche surrounding it, so that part of the mural was hidden under the stone altar and part of it was obscured by a frame of stone slabs. To the left of the throne of the Virgin Mary, a painted male figure is seen offering an object to the Virgin Mary. Above the figure, which is partly covered by the built-up altarpiece, a small building is visible - probably a church. The painting is still difficult to read, but the results of the investigations and the conservation and restoration work that will follow will surely provide many new interesting details about the artwork, as well as about the history of the Franciscan monastery at Kostanjevica.
The conservation and restoration work will start in February. The work on the altar will be carried out by a team of conservators led by mag. Klavdija Zalarja, and Anka Batič will be in charge of the work on the wall painting.
