Indoor measurements of microclimate variables and ozone in the church of San Vincenzo (Monastery of Bassano Romano - Italy): A pilot study

This experiment describes a way of operation in MMA-CH, Microclimate Multivariate Analysis for Cultural Heritage. It is realised by choosing appropriate meteorological and air composition parameters according to the environment to be investigated, measuring them by appropriate instruments and making acquisition of time series to find out all possible correlations. It is possible to understand how this branch of multivariate analysis could contribute to the science of conservation by applying an appropriate microclimatic and air composition monitoring and processing. Microclimate parameters such us air temperature, relative humidity, mixing ratio and air composition parameters such as tropospheric ozone content were monitored during a summer period to assess their impact on the cultural heritage of the Benedictine Monastery dedicated to San Vincenzo Martire (Diocletian's Christians persecution). This marvellous place is settled next to Bassano Romano village, in the Sabatini mountains rural area. The importance of the site is established by the presence of many art treasures, like 2 frescos of '700, 2 frescos of '600 (Caravaggio School) and by a marble statue of Jesus (The Jesus cross carrying) which is recently attributed to Michelangelo as the original one. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.