Microclimatic monitoring for the investigation of the different state of conservation of the stucco statues of the Longobard Temple in Cividale del Friuli (Udine, Italy)

A microclimatic monitoring of the Longobard Temple in Cividale del Friuli, Udine (Italy), was performed between 2011 and 2012 aimed at investigating the causes of the different damage features observed in the stucco statues located in the opposite sides of west-south-west wall. The thermo-hygrometric conditions of the air close to the statues were continuously monitored for one year and the surface temperature of the statues was investigated by means of thermography. According to the results, no remarkable differences in the current microclimatic conditions measured at the two sides of the west-south-west wall were found, hence the cause of the different state of conservation of the statues has to be ascribed to phenomena occurred in the past. Nevertheless, the thermo-hygrometric values measured close to the statues are not fully in compliance with respect to the ranges indicated in literature for the conservation of the stucco ornaments.