New image for Hall of the Kings, now in third phase of restoration process

Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (PAG) and the Andalusian Historical Heritage Institute (IAPH) have worked together on the restoration of the paintings of the Hall of the Kings in the east wing of the Palace of the Lions, as part of an overall research and restoration project affecting the mocárabe vaults and the vaulted wooden ceilings covered with painted leather, as well as the decoration of the walls.
This third phase of the restoration process focuses on removing the protective paper from the surface of the paintings of the vaults, and follows the restoration of the roofs and the treatment of the wooden structure of the ceilings – the next stage will be the restoration of the paintings themselves.
As part of the works, the roofs of the Hall of the Kings have recovered their original shape and the original ventilation system has been restored. Additionally, a meteorological station was installed and a series of climate sensors mounted on the outside of the vaults, to collect and analyse information such as variations in the inclination of the mocárabe vaults, ambient and surface temperature of wooden elements and paintings, relative humidity and water content of the wood, among other variables.
In 2010 PAG and IAPH carried out works on the wooden structure of the vaults, to reinforce their capacity to support the paintings and to consolidate the structural elements bearing the load of these vaults. To do this, it was first necessary to protect the paintings with paper and to construct structures to support the weight of the vaults during the restoration process.
Once the paper has been removed, a series of scientific and technical studies will be performed and the definitive project for the restoration of the paintings will be drafted.