Die Generalsanierung der Herzogin-Anna-Amalia-Bibliothek in Weimar nach der Brandkatastrophe 2004

Darstellung der holzrestauratorischen Maßnahmen im Rokokosaal

Abstract

The Refurbishment of the Herzogin-Anna-Amalia Library in Weimar after the Fire of 2004. Restoration Measures of the Wooden Components of the Rococo Hall
A few weeks before the redevelopment works on the Herzogin-Anna-Amalia-Library (1761–66) in Weimar were to begin, a disastrous fire from the 2nd to the 4 th of September caused the destruction of the entire roof truss with the mansard floor, reaching up to the 2nd floor of the Rococo Room. About 50.000 volumes of the library’s archive were destroyed, 62.000 were seriously damaged by the water used to extinguish the fire. Immediately after the building had been cleaned from the layers of rubble, its general redevelopment was started. This included an evaluation of the damage as well as the planning of the restoration of the famous Rococo Room – a wooden, two storey built-in part in Rococo style. During the conservation and restoration of the library, carried out by four competent wood restoring workshops, new problems arose, additionally to the usual tasks: They were caused by fungal infestation, subsidence of the wooden subconstruction, the partial reconstruction of stairs and climatic peculiarities. A scientific analysis of historical glazes on the friezes in the floor became necessary, so that exemplary decisions concerning the preservation could be made.