11th-century murals brought to light in St. Nicholas Memorial Museum

New murals from the 11th century were brought to light during the work at the memorial museum.
Restoration and landscaping work carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism continues at the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, one of the holy places of the Orthodox world, located in the Demre district. The documentation and conservation of the 11th and 12th-century wall paintings in the museum continue within the scope of the works. Scientific analyzes are carried out in advanced techniques for the original materials that make up the wall paintings and their deterioration within the scope of works carried out by a team of 3 people headed by High Restorator-Conservator Cultural Heritage Conservation Specialist Ugur Yalcinkaya, under the supervision of the Demre Lycian Civilizations Museum Directorate.
ALL MURALS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED
Giving information about the works, Ugur Yalcinkaya said the followings:
“In the analysis, information about the materials used in the making of the medieval paintings and the methods of making them were revealed. The condition of the paintings and the repairs made in previous periods were examined. Inspections were made to detect the distortions in the pictures. In the documentation process, imaging techniques such as UV photography, side light shots, and orthophoto were used. The previous states of the images were documented. All the murals were examined closely, transferred to the layouts, and digitized. According to the information obtained, it was determined that the wall paintings were made with the 'Secco' (painting on dry plaster) technique, using mineral pigments on lime-based plasters in the Middle Ages. Many elements such as brush sizes, compass marks, and transitions of daily working fluids on the paintings were determined.”
Stating that deteriorations in the wall paintings and their causes were determined, Yalcinkaya said, “It has been concluded that the preservation of these paintings is equivalent to the preservation of the structure in which they are located. It has been determined that the paintings will become more sheltered with the new roof to be built after the restoration works, consolidation of the structure, and the completed underground and rainwater drainage system. Plaster and paints, which are the elements that makeup wall paintings, are reinforced by injecting special materials. The pollution caused by environmental conditions on the surfaces of paintings is cleaned with special materials. Paintings are made more visible. After the conservation work on the murals is completed, if they are periodically checked and maintained, the murals in the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum will be an important cultural heritage that we can pass on to future generations.”
Describing the murals in the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, Demre Lycian Civilizations Museum Director Nilufer Sezgin said the followings:
“The paintings were made with the fresco technique in the 11th and 12th centuries. The murals consist of the Bible, the Torah, the life of Mary, and the suffering of Jesus with a single figure. In the scenes that mention the miracles of St. Nicholas in general, miracles such as protecting the sailor families from the storm, healing the sick, and helping families without children are depicted. Paintings in the Southern Burial Chamber painted in the 12th century. Outside the South Burial Chamber, there is the scene of the apostle commission on the inner surface of the dome of the northwest chamber of the church. In the scene dated to the 11th century, Jesus offers bread and wine to his 12 apostles. There are council-religious meeting scenes on the inner narthex domes of the church. During the conservation work carried out at the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, scenes of Christ the Pantocrator-Jesus the Ruler of the Universe were unearthed under the limestone layer on the inner surface of the apse of the 2nd Southeast Chapel. In addition, scenes with various cross symbols belonging to the Christian faith were unearthed in the northern annex, which is dated to the 11th century.”