Preventive Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Armenia: A Preliminary Study of the Internal Surfaces in the Geghard Monastery

In the Armenian context, most of the architectural heritages are monasteries often subjected to geological hazards and degradation of materials due to the environmental conditions. The aim of this study, in collaboration between the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia, was a preliminary analysis of the state of conservation of the UNESCO heritage site of Geghard Monastery. Specifically, this research reports the results of the multi-disciplinary investigation on the internal stone surfaces of the caved "Proshian family room" belonging to the XIII century. In situ analyses that consisted of a careful visual survey of the stone surface, environmental monitoring, water absorption and ultrasonic measurements were conducted.The collected data constitute a starting point for monitoring the degradation phenomena, which is helpful for future preventive conservative interventions.