Monitoring natural and human-induced driven deterioration in Koules fortification

Background

This fortification, built by the Venetians in the early 16th century, has been exposed to the action of the sea for centuries. Since then, its stonework and foundations have been constantly damaged and repaired, until restoration works stagnated in the 1970s.The Greek Ministry of Culture resumed restoration works in the 2000s through the Ephorate of Antiquities and more recently setting a National Strategic Reference Framework Project concerning the Restoration and Conservation of the Fortress (2011-2016).

Actions included the removal of former interventions in the masonry, consolidation and preservation of the lions relieves, replacement of cannon openings’ old frames with new stainless ones and the removal of salt crusts and biodeterioration signs from the Stone surface, among others. Climate change and air pollution are likely to affect the fortress in the near future, accelerating deterioration processes. The HERACLES Project is supporting the anticipation to future risks through frequent, high-detailed analysis and monitoring of climatic conditions, material composition and the source of weathering features using optical and laser streptoscopic analysis, as well as a meteorological station.