International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
Egyptian Decorative Art: A Course of Lectures

Egyptian Decorative Art: A Course of Lectures

Relatively small, but not because of this less important, the volume Egyptian Decorative Art: A Course of Lectures, published in 1895 is one of the many precious representatives of the Rare Book Section of ICCROM's Library.

ICCROM Mural Painting Conservation Course (MPC): Preparation of wall paintings, 1972

ICCROM Mural Painting Conservation Course: Preparation of wall paintings, 1972

This image by Laura Sbordoni Mora depicts course participants during the preparation of wall paintings at ICCROM premises in 1972.

"The Veneto Garden: From the Late Middle Ages to the 20th Century" 

"The Veneto Garden: From the Late Middle Ages to the 20th Century"

The book, edited by Margherita Azzi Visentini and published in 1988, explores the transformation of the meaning and functions of the garden in Veneto over the centuries.

ICCROM International Architectural Conservation Course (ARC): Study Project, Capua, Italy, 1971

ICCROM International Architectural Conservation Course (ARC): Study Project, Capua, Italy, 1971

The drawing was elaborated by participants of the 1971 Architectural Conservation Course, organized by ICCROM in co-operation with the Scuola di Perfezionamento in Restauro, University of Rome, La Sapienza.

Origen: Drawing Inspiration from Indigenous Wisdom

Origen: Drawing Inspiration from Indigenous Wisdom

The book "Origen" was written in Spanish and issued in 2023 by the Argentinian publishing house Libros del Zorro Rojo. It explores the interconnectedness of all living beings to other life forms and the entire universe. "Origen" is a personal journey undertaken by the author over the last decade, reflecting on the relationship with the planet and drawing insights from indigenous peoples, referred to as "those from the origin."

In Central Türkiye's Cappadocia region lies a complex of tucked-away cave churches carved from volcanic rock in the Göreme Valley. The most famous is the 10th-century Buckle Church (Tokali Kilise), revered for its illustrious Byzantine mural paintings.

Restoration of Byzantine Cave Church Frescoes, Türkiye 1977

In Central Türkiye's Cappadocia region lies a complex of tucked-away cave churches carved from volcanic rock in the Göreme Valley. The most famous is the 10th-century Buckle Church (Tokali Kilise), revered for its illustrious Byzantine mural paintings.

RoM February 2024 Giza urban planning thesis

A 1960s proposal to preserve built heritage in Giza

Experts, urban planners, architects, preservation specialists, and heritage site managers have spent decades aiming to requalify Giza and its surroundings, and numerous urban regeneration projects have been planned. The ICCROM Library conserves one of those never-realized plans in its collection. The dissertation titled, “Giza historical center: A study to preserve Egypt’s eternal architectural heritage within the living urban organism”, was...

Tunisia: Mihrab of the Kairouan Great Mosque, 1973

Tunisia: Mihrab of the Kairouan Great Mosque, 1973

This is a photograph of the upper part of the mihrab of the Great Mosque of Kairouan, a World Heritage site since 1988. It is a close-up of the half-dome, which is made of curved wood covered with thick plaster and painted with a complex vegetal motif - a common theme in Islamic art and architecture. The image was taken in 1973 by Franco Rigamonti and is part of a series of photographs documenting the restoration work carried out on the mihrab in...

History of Architectural Conservation

Jukka Jokilehto, "History of Architectural Conservation", from our Lead Librarian’s perspective

Jukka Jokilehto's influence on built heritage conservation through his book, A History of Architectural Conservation, and its translation into several languages is profound and far-reaching. Jokilehto, a Finnish architect and esteemed expert in urban planning, in addition to being ICCROM’s former coordinator of the Architectural Conservation course on and former Deputy Director General, has significantly contributed to the field through his...

Resource of the Month October 2023 - Laura Mora stands in front of Mayan monument

Mexico: Chaan Maun's Stela 1, Bonampak, 1968

In this photo from 1968, you see Laura Mora, a famed painting and mural painting conservator, in front of Stela 1, a Mesoamerican carved monument (stela), in Bonampak, Mexico. This relief area depicts an earth monster holding up the ruler Chaan Muan II, whose feet are visible at the top. The entire Stela is one of the tallest of the Mayan period at 20 feet (6.1 metres).

​​‘Pema and the Stolen Statue from Dolpa,’ a donated children’s book addressing illicit trade of cultural objects

‘Pema and the Stolen Statue from Dolpa,’ a donated children’s book addressing illicit trade of cultural objects

As we delve into September, we are delighted to announce a remarkable addition to our heritage education Library for youth. Emiline Smith has generously donated her children's storybook, 'Pema and the Stolen Statue from Dolpa.' This captivating narrative not only enriches our collection but also sheds light on an important global issue – the illicit trade of cultural objects.

RoM August 2023

Romania: Mural painting of the Humor Monastery, Tomb Chamber, 1972

The Humor Monastery is one of the best-preserved of the eight Painted Churches of Moldavia – a World Heritage site located in Romania. These churches were built between the 15th and 16th centuries and are most famous for their well-preserved and colourful external frescoes that are inspired by Byzantine art. At the request of the Romanian Department of Historic Monuments under the auspices of its Director, Dr Vasile Dragut, ICCROM undertook three...