Conservation and restoration of nineteenth-century Camaldolese epitaphs in the catacombs of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the Warsaw district of Bielany (mural painting).

Conservation of painted epitaphs in the former Camaldolese church at the Warsaw district of Bielany was a task demanding extensive knowledge and skill, and saving this priceless monument of sepulchral art in Poland has given me great satisfaction. State of preservation of the painting was very poor – improper humidity conditions led to weakening of plasters and development of many large cavities. There is no doubt that the epitaphs left without protection would be completely destroyed within a few years, therefore the most important issue was to reinforce powdering plasters and to prepare the severely damaged monument for subsequent exhibition. In the course of my work I got familiar with a new solution containing calcium nanoparticles, used to reinforce lime plasters, and I had an opportunity to compare it with traditional solutions, such as limewater. I hope that in the future I will be able to carry out maintenance of murals in the other crypt of the Bielany church.