Convention concernent la protection du patrimoine mondial, culturel et naturel : Hypogée de Hal Saflieni, Paola (Malte)

Abstract

The natural humidity, accentuated by the condensation of the breath of visitors at the Hypogeum, causes, in reaction with light and heat of electric lighting, the proliferation of lichens which form on the walls and the ceilings which are unpleasant to look at, and more seriously pose a danger to the paintings. If it is possible to get rid of these lichens from the bare rock - which does not mean that they will not grow back - there is a risk that when they are near paintings or stuck on them, to damage or even destroy the decorative motifs. The objective of the project is to record the temperature and humidity conditions prevailing inside the hypogeum for at least one year, so as to gather the data necessary to develop a complete ventilation system. When this system is installed, the temperature and humidity will be regulated in such a way that lichens can no longer form, and the paintings will thus be preserved.