Objectives

The main objective of this interdisciplinary project is the development of an integrated conservation methodology for preservation of important religious buildings from Alentejo, namely, Evora’s and Elvas Cathedrals, Mertola’s Mosque and church of Amieira do Tejo.

This project includes:

• Historical and Technical investigation about the buildings construction materials, techniques and interventions and correlation with social and cultural evolution of the region

• Information of the provenance of building materials

• Physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of the building mortars used

• Damage assessment and correlation with: the mortars composition used, considering specially their porous structure; the building’s physical and chemical environment

• Definition of improved techniques for diagnosis and characterization of historic mortars

• Definition of improved mortar compositions for conservation interventions using namely optimized aggregates (nature and grading)

• Construction of a WEB page for technical and educational support in this field