The Atlantic Romanesque Intervention Plan team concluded intervention in the church of Santa Marina, in Sejas de Sanabria (Zamora). The works, which have lasted over several months, in different phases, have served, among other things, to monitor the temple. It has been included in the Heritage Monitoring System (MHS). The project, developed by the Santa María la Real Foundation and applied to different Atlantic Romanesque churches, is the placement of small sensors that control, in this case, the environmental conditions of the building in order to ensure the conservation of both the temple , and its surroundings, especially the altarpiece and the coffered ceiling.
Restoration of the altarpiece.
Not surprisingly, one of the most important actions was the restoration of the seventeenth century altarpiece, a piece of carved, gilded and polychromed wood in prechurrigueresco style. The intervention was carried out in situ and focused on two aspects: the conservation treatment and restoration. Regarding the former, the primary goal has been to restore structural stability to each of the elements of the altarpiece. To achieve this an anti-xilophagus treatment was applied, the wood support brackets were re-enforced, dislocated fragments were re-attached, rustproofing was applied and finally polychrome strata was re-adhered.
As regards to the restoration treatments, they have generally consisted of: oxidized varnish removal, surface cleaning, levelling, color grading and reintegration, consolidation, and reintegration and protection of the support and pictorial film.
Improved illumination
The intervention in Sejas de Sanabria is complete with improved illumination of the temple, both on the exterior and in the interior of the building with the objective of installing proper lighting for worship and for visits. To do this, special emphasis has been placed on the sanctuary and the altar, and in the enhancement of the coffered ceiling with geometric shapes. On the other hand, automated lighting at the entrance has been installed to facilitate the movement of worshipers and visitors. Additionally, new wiring was installed and unnecessary wiring was eliminated and unsuitable elements on the façade were also covered up.
