National Heritage has published a new video on its Instagram account showing us the inner workings of the restoration project at the San Antonio de la Florida Chapel. The project has undertaken a comprehensive restoration that goes beyond aesthetics: the chapel is about to reopen its doors to the public, and it will do so by restoring the prominence and light to Goya’s frescoes.
Inside the church, the renovation focuses on protecting the frescoes: to this end, a modern climate control system and LED lighting technology have been installed. The new lighting not only better preserves Goya’s frescoes dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, but also enhances the color and improves the overall view.
Outside, the work focuses on the lead covering of the dome, the side slopes, the tile roof, the woodwork, a new insulation system, and the elimination of uneven surfaces to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility.
With this restoration project, agreed upon by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, National Heritage, and the Madrid City Council, the chapel gains in luminosity and visual coherence. The reopening date has not yet been confirmed by National Heritage, but the institution has already announced that it is imminent.
Another recent restoration by National Heritage (this one already open to the public)
A few days ago, National Heritage opened the doors to two rooms in the Royal Palace that had long been closed to the public: the Reliquary and the Anterrelicario of the Royal Chapel.
Two rooms that can be glimpsed through the chapel itself or through the large windows at the entrance (located in the north wing of the Prince’s Courtyard Gallery), both of which are included in the general admission ticket for the Royal Palace.
Inside, there are more than 365 relics, the silver relief that Francesco Barberini gave to Philip IV (a copy of the original from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican), a certificate of authenticity for a relic of St. Francis of Assisi that is presumed to be on the altar, as well as paintings and panels by Juan de Juanes, Luis de Morales, Luis Tristán…