The renovation of the Cathedral of Our Lady and Saint Adalbert in Esztergom since 2019 is progressing well. Magyar Nemzet reported that the dome of the basilica is currently being restored. Since many things in the church are unique and monumental in size, the renovation of the dome, the huge altarpiece and the grand organ are also a serious challenge for the professionals. The latter will be completely rebuilt, and the work is expected to be completed by 2025.
Nowadays, the huge interior of the Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Adalbert in Esztergom echoes not with the sound of the organ or the singing of the choir, but with the blows of hammers and the noise of machines, as the dome is currently being renovated.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THE IMPOSING AND AT THE SAME TIME GRANDIOUS BUILDING BECAME IMPERATIVE IN 2016 BECAUSE LARGER AND SMALLER PARTS OF THE DOME'S STUCCO DECORATION BEGAN TO CRASH AND THE PLASTER FALLING FROM A HEIGHT OF 60-70 METERS DANGERED THE GUESTS.
Tamás Németh, the architect leading the renovation, previously said: in 2016, they received HUF 1.6 billion from the government to preserve the basilica's condition, which turned out to be insufficient, so at the request of Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, they prepared the budget and schedule plan for the complete exterior and interior renovation . The additional HUF 11 billion required for this was awarded by the government in December 2018.
Source: magyarepitok.hu/Nagy Mihály
The renovation of the dome, which began last year, continues to present serious challenges to the professionals. Regarding the internal scaffolding of the dome, the stipulation was that no structure resting on the ground should be built, because then the liturgical life in the church would have ceased for three years, which tourists would not be able to visit, the parish governor reminded. One of the most complex scaffolding design tasks of all time took place, as it was necessary to create a structure capable of supporting a load of approximately 80 tons on a bridge structure with a span of 26 meters.
Renovating the exterior of the dome, especially the cross, will also be a challenge, as a new mesh made of steel plates will be placed on top of the existing wrought iron ribbing to strengthen it. And the cross is renewed in place and gilded there as well. The restoration of the altarpiece, which at the time was made on a single canvas 6.5 meters wide and 13 meters high, also promises to be exciting. Several ideas have already arisen for the renovation of the work; some were in favor of transporting it and restoring it elsewhere, others would not move the altarpiece, but would take it out of the frame and recreate it in the church.
The renovation of the grand organ, which was built in 1856 and rebuilt several times since then, is expected to begin next January. The reconstruction of the modern instrument, which preserves the old lines of whistles, began in 1975, but has not been completed to this day. Taking this into account, the entire grand organ is now being dismantled, the pipes will be transported and restored at the premises of the company that carried out the renovation. After that, the instrument, including the original pipes, will be rebuilt from the ground up, parish governor Csaba Török said.
Source, full article and gallery: Origo.hu
Image: magyarepitok.hu/Nagy Mihály
