Joint Research on Conservation and Restoration of St. Michael’s Church (Keşlik Monastery) (Part 3)
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage is conducting a joint research project on the conservation and restoration of wall paintings on the interior walls of St. Michael’s Church (Keşlik Monastery) in Cappadocia, Türkiye, in cooperation with domestic and international experts and academic institutions.
From June 26 to July 19, 2026, an on-site investigation and conservation work were carried out based on the conservation and restoration plans developed through previous field surveys. The project focused on the apse and nave of the church, where surface cleaning of the wall paintings, filling of losses, and color retouching were conducted.
Attention was focused on the nave, in which thick layers of soot, oily residues, and resinous deposits derived from candles, oil lamps, and incense used over many years had accumulated on the painted surfaces. These issues had not been fully identified through prior visual inspections or scientific investigations alone. Therefore, repeated cleaning tests and careful evaluations were conducted, leading to the establishment of a safe and effective cleaning method using a poultice technique. As a result, the original colors and delicate details of the wall paintings were successfully brought back to light, while iconographic elements and inscriptions that had remained hidden beneath the accumulated deposits and unseen by human eyes for approximately 200 years were revealed for the first time. This achievement not only enabled a renewed appreciation of the original appearance of the wall paintings but also contributed significantly to a reassessment of their iconographic and historical value.
Alongside the conservation work, investigations into the causes of deterioration and evaluations of the effectiveness of the conservation treatments were continuously conducted, while promoting technology transfer and capacity building among local specialists. Through three years of collaborative research, the effectiveness and safety of the selected conservation materials and treatment methods were confirmed, establishing a foundation for the development of conservation approaches suited to the environmental conditions and characteristics of wall paintings in this region. Furthermore, improvements in the conservation skills of local specialists were observed, along with a deeper understanding of deterioration mechanisms and conservation treatments, contributing to the development of human resources capable of undertaking future conservation activities.
This project has contributed not only to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, but also to the strengthening of international collaborative research and the promotion of academic and professional exchange between research institutions in Japan and Türkiye. During the investigation period, more than 300 visitors came to observe the conservation activities, demonstrating a high level of interest from the local community. Furthermore, the project received recognition from the Governor of Nevşehir Province, which oversees the Cappadocia region, who expressed his appreciation for the initiative, reflecting strong expectations and support from local authorities. In the coming years, remaining retouching work and treatments addressing salt deterioration will be carried out, together with continuous monitoring to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the conservation treatments.