Laser Cleaning Applications for Religious Objects

Laser clearing is nowadays employed successfully for the removal of unwanted layers of diverse chemical and physical nature from historical and religious monuments and objects. Significant research evolution has been made via close collaboration between scientists, conservators and curators. Several studies have shown that the maximum efficiency of the laser-induced divestment can be obtained in parallel with the safety of the preservable artefact. The examples discussed herein and the numerous case studies presented in the biennial international LACONA conferences demonstrate that in the future laser cleaning may be the leading technique for the preservation of churches, historical monuments and religious objects with great cultural heritage significance.