International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle

In the first week of March 2026, an international workshop took place at Český Krumlov Castle as part of the project AKTION – Materiality of Cultural Heritage II. The project focuses on interdisciplinary research into St. George’s Chapel and its exceptionally valuable stucco marble (scagliola) decoration. The workshop brought together lecturers and students from the Faculty of Restoration of the University of Pardubice in Litomyšl and the University of Applied Arts Vienna (die Angewandte). The research continues the long-term cooperation between both institutions in the field of historical artistic techniques and cultural heritage conservation. 

University of Pardubice/Christoph Schleßmann: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: The project team in St. George’s Chapel.

During the four-day workshop, extensive conservation and material research was carried out directly inside the chapel. Students worked in international teams under the supervision of specialists from both institutions and became familiar with methods of non-invasive investigation, documentation, and evaluation of stucco marble deterioration. The programme also included expert lectures focused on the history of the chapel, scagliola technology, possibilities of material analysis, and advanced photographic documentation methods including UV fluorescence photography. 

University of Pardubice/Zdeňka Míchalová: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: The interior of the chapel during the survey.

On 15 May 2026, a final workshop meeting was held at the Institute of Conservation at die Angewandte in Vienna. Students presented the results of their surveys and discussed the findings together with lecturers and researchers. The meeting also focused on the evaluation of the workshop outcomes and on the preparation of the final conservation documentation and proposals for the future care of St. George’s Chapel. 

University of Pardubice/Zdeňka Míchalová: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: Survey using UV fluorescence.

An important part of the project is also the study of the work of marble worker Mathias Andrea, the creator of the chapel decoration, who was active both in the Czech lands and in Austria. The research therefore combines archival studies, conservation surveys, and comparison with other works associated with this Baroque artist. The project will continue in the coming months with a study trip to Austrian monuments connected with the work of Mathias Andrea. All project results, including conservation surveys, archival research, and documentation, will be summarized and finalized in autumn.

University of Pardubice/Zdeňka Míchalová: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: Documentation of the wall.University of Pardubice/Zdeňka Míchalová: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: Field documentation of findings on the high altar.

University of Pardubice/Zdeňka Míchalová: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: Survey of the chapel ceiling.

University of Pardubice/Zdeňka Míchalová: International AKTION Workshop Explored the St. George Chapel at Český Krumlov Castle: Project team meeting in Vienna.