Transsylvania Nostra Journal

We have been thoroughly examining paintings in Transylvanian medieval and Protestant churches since 1995. In the beginning, we focused exclusively on ecclesiastical buildings, but in the course of our later trips, we also included several abandoned, ruined castles and town houses that stood empty or were being under conservation. Thus, in this period we have documented the interior decoration of more than 350 buildings, which offers some insight into the extent and causes of the “decay” of murals, and into the possibilities of slowing it down. This article deals with the phenomenon based on specific examples, both in the case of ecclesiastic and lay buildings.
Keywords: mural, fresco, secco, decay, castle, manor, mansion, medieval church painting, protestant church painting, Transylvania