Poster Presentation at the 15th International Congress on the Deterioration and Conservation of Stone – Paris, France (WP3) 08.09. – 12.09.2025
Contributors of the poster: Marija Milchin, Katharina Fuchs, Abdelrhman Fahmy, Siniša Bizjak, Krešimir Bosnić, Vincent Thiery, and Farkas Pintér
Representatives at the conference: Marija Milchin, Katharina Fuchs, Siniša Bizjak, and Farkas Pintér
Information
Within the framework of the EU-HORIZON project STECCI, a poster entitled “Porous Limestones under Different Environments – Condition Assessment of Monuments in Rabat, Malta, and Caen, France” was presented at the 15th International Congress on the Deterioration and Conservation of Stone held in Paris from 8–12 September 2025.
The poster introduced the research on the behaviour of porous limestones exposed to different climatic and environmental conditions in two significant cultural heritage contexts: Rabat, Malta and Caen, France. These two reference sites were selected in addition to the stećci sites, as they differ both geologically and in their observed damage phenomena, providing an important comparative framework.
At the time of the project’s submission to the conference, only the first steps of the research had been completed. Nevertheless, the study already focused on condition assessments of monuments, highlighting initial observations of damage patterns, material deterioration, and challenges linked to environmental influences. By combining field surveys, documentation, and laboratory-based investigations, the project is designed to provide a comparative understanding of limestone decay processes in maritime and continental settings and to support the development of conservation strategies tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of porous limestones.
The poster presentation stimulated fruitful exchanges with the international community of stone conservation experts, fostering discussion on methodological approaches, conservation priorities, and the wider applicability of results to other heritage sites across Europe. Participation in the Stone Conference 2025 offered the STECCI team the opportunity to share preliminary results, gain valuable feedback, and strengthen networks within the field of heritage science and stone conservation. The exchange of ideas and the current trends presented during the conference will be incorporated into the ongoing development of the conservation concepts within the STECCI project (WP3 Task 6).
