Getting Close to a World Heritage Site

Interdisciplinary conference organised by the Hornemann Institute of HAWK Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, in collaboration with the German Association of Conservator-Restorers and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover

17 March 2026 | from 9.00 am, Hildesheim, HAWK and St Michael's Church

The former monastery church of St Michael in Hildesheim has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. In the second half of the 12th century, it underwent extensive modernisation with stucco decoration. Elements of this decoration have been preserved in the south aisle, including the figures of the Beatitudes and the ornamental reveals of the arcade arches (c. 1160–1180), as well as on the northern side of a choir screen (late 12th century) in the west transept.

Additionally, 250 stucco fragments excavated between 1870 and 2006 bear witness to the church's more elaborate medieval design: they originate from the Beatitudes, the arcade arches, a now-removed frieze, and the two damaged choir screen barriers, as well as from other locations within the church interior. These fragments were the subject of a multi-year, interdisciplinary research project funded by the Beate and Hans Peter Autenrieth Foundation.

The aim of the conference was to present the project’s results for discussion prior to the printing of the final publication, in light of differing opinions within both art history and conservation. The main focus was on working techniques, polychromy, and analytical results. In addition, the history of the fragments since their discovery had been presented, along with new reconstructions of the choir screen. Beyond St Michael's Church, the conference addressed the handling of fragments from various finds and traditions. It also highlighted the potential of various scientific analytical methods and 3D technologies, as well as the development of restoration research methods over the past 30 years. Finally, the findings invited to a discussion about our ideas of workshop processes in the Middle Ages.

After the lectures, an afternoon 'market of possibilities' at St Michael's Church offered the opportunity to view the stucco work and several fragments under a microscope with the guidance of conservators. We had a walk-in scaffold erected around the choir screen so that discussions could take place in front of the object. Experts were also be on hand to provide further insights into the project's results (X-ray fluorescence analysis, 3D documentation) and offered personal insights into the planned monitoring of the World Heritage Site. The speakers were also available for personal discussions about their findings and interpretations.

All lectures were be in German. Simultaneous translation could not be financed. 

The conference was funded by zukunft.niedersachsen.