A Conservation Study of Sandstone: The Church of Orsanmichele in Florence (Italy)

This paper focuses on a conservation project carried out on the sand-stone external cladding of the Church of Orsanmichele. The church is located in the historic center of Florence (Italy), which has been recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site since 1982. The study includes a comprehensive compositional and physical characterization of the rock, the application of conservative treatments, and a subsequent one-year monitoring period. Three different consolidants were applied to selected areas of the church facades, and their effect on the color and water absorption capacity of the sandstone were monitored. The results of this conservation effort provide valuable insights into effective strategies for preserv-ing the historical integrity of the monument, contributing to the broader field of architectural conservation.