The restoration of the cathedral at Kirkjubøúr in the Faroe Islands

Abstract eng:
For centuries the ruins of the Cathedral at Kirkjubøur in the Faroe Islands was exposed to the very humid and saline north Atlantic environment. Traditional maintenance of the mortar joints was needed to ensure mechanical stability of the structure. The original lime mortar, locally referred to as ‘skílp’, was quite hard and had excellent adhesion to the basalt blocks. The lime for the mortar was possibly made of seashells, and the aggregate was a mixture of black, volcanic sand and shell fragments. Hydraulic components were identified in samples taken from the areas with high structural load. Different mixtures of lime mortars were tested in the laboratory and on site to determine the resistance against weathering. This work is not yet terminated, but it appears that only a hydraulic lime will be durable in this environment.

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