Physico-chemical characterization of the plasters from the church of Santissimo Sacramento in Alcântara, Lisbon

Abstract

The Santissimo Sacramento Convent, in Alcântara quarter, in Lisbon, was an innovative architectural project in the XVII century and one of the most important ecclesiastic structures at that period in Lisbon. An intervention aiming at the restoration of the monument’s interior plasters was planned in 2009 and is presently being carried out. In this article the main results obtained in the physico-chemical characterization of the internal plasters from Santissimo Sacramento church in Lisbon are presented, including mortars, stuccos and pigments; the diagnosis methodology was applied for the evaluation of the state of conservation of the renders and the recommendations made for the repair mortars. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that the mortars are in very good condition, being composed by aerial calcitic lime with siliceous and basaltic aggregates, while the stuccos are constituted by gypsum and aerial calcitic lime and the decorative layers are of lime with some precious pigments too, such as ultramarine (lapislazzuli) and gildings.