Cathedral conservation project nearing completion

The large weather shield which has been covering major parts of the Kirkjubø cathedral ruins will be taken down later this summer.

It was first erected in 2002 to allow the ruins to dry out before work could begin on preservation. The shield drew considerable criticism due to its unsightly nature.

Conservation work on the Cathedral started in 1997, as it became clear that the ruin was deteriorating at a rapid pace, with more and more mortar falling away due to the elements, mostly from rain, but also salty sea air and sea water. 

Reinforcements

During the research into how to preserve the ruin, it was agreed that no outward reconstruction would be made, and instead ongoing preservation work would be implemented, where the mortar would be reinforced from time to time. 

All horizontal surfaces where water can seep in have now been soft capped with mortar and clay before being topped with sod and grass.

Símun V. Arge, one of the conservation workers from the National Museum of the Faroe Islands, says that their next job is to find the best way for further preservation of the 700-year-old cathedral ruin.

Translated by prosa.fo