The historical value of the actual excavation site is so momentous that all the works conducted here are either directly of the restorative nature, or must be conducted under the direct supervision of restorers.
Individual restoration works will be conducted throughout the duration of the project:
- Restoration of Romanesque masonry,
- Restoration of Romanesque tiling – inspection and stabilisation,
- Conservation of archaeological findings from the southern part of the nave,
- Manufacture and installation of replicated tiling,
- Placement of historical stones – their display,
- Adjustment of the other walls,
- Murals – colour retouching,
- Mounting of photo-profile on the wall,
- Documentation of the restoration – a report.
Related works conducted either directly by restorers or by craftsmen under expert supervision will include the following: security, demolition, and supplementary works, minor masonry and stonework, painting, fire adjustments.
Construction Works
The construction part of the project ensuring the accessibility of the rotunda and the adaptation of the space for presentation purposes will include:
- Adjustment and finishing of the entrance space, construction of stairs connecting the entrance to the pedestrian bridge, installation of metal pedestrian bridge
- Finishing of the traverse wall,
- Wiring and lighting,
- Installation of special air-conditioning equipment (air-conditioning and ventilation unit including the “MaR” control unit).
The entrance to the rotunda will be formed by the installation of a stone slab on the level of sandstone stairs leading to the hall, which will be connected to the steel construction of the pedestrian bridge by its four stone-clad steps. Both the stone masonry constituting the crypt and the Baroque masonry will be cleaned, and the inlets and passages of the engineering system will be covered up on both sides of the entrance. The entire rotunda will be bridged by a steel pedestrian bridge (1040mm wide and 9515mm long), which will be anchored in two concrete base constructions built specially for this purpose. Newly constructed brickwork will be placed in the centre of the rotunda’s circular ground plan as support for the steel bridge, and in order to reinforce the upper level of the clay flooring of the rotunda. The eastern wall will be covered by new, plastered brickwork. The northern wall will be completely cleaned, plastered, and painted once the colour has been agreed on.
The lighting in the rotunda is conceived as indirect. All lights will be installed inside the bridge or underneath it. Spotlights will illuminate the floor surface of the bridge. The entire floor area of the space will be illuminated by line lights which will be installed under the supporting structure of the bridge. Other line lights will illuminate the entrance to the rotunda around the sandstone masonry. The northern part of the rotunda will be illuminated by spotlights and halogen lights.
The installation of a special air-conditioning unit is an essential part of the construction works. Its role is to ensure microclimatic conditions for the purpose of protection and preservation of the historical features and artifacts of the rotunda.