The Church of San Nicolás in Valencia Completes Its Restoration

The Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir de Valencia has recently completed a three-year architectural and ornamental restoration, the most significant to date internationally due to its scale and the techniques employed; even the restored pictorial surface (1,904 square meters) is larger than that of the Sistine Chapel (800 square meters).

The restoration, with a budget of 4.7 million euros, was carried out by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Archdiocese of the city, with the collaboration and funding from the foundation named after its president, Hortensia Herrero, vice president of Mercadona and wife of Juan Roig, who heads the company. This entity was established in 2012 with the aim of recovering, developing, and sharing the artistic and cultural sensitivity of the Valencian Community.

It was directed by architect Carlos Campos and Pilar Roig, professor and researcher at the Institute of Heritage Restoration at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, with the participation of over 100 professionals. Expert advice was also provided by Gianluigi Colalucci, the restorer of Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

The Church of San Nicolás is an architectural gem located in the heart of Valencia's historic center, exemplifying the coexistence of Gothic and Baroque styles. Among the Baroque decoration, the mural paintings by Dionisio Vidal, a disciple of Antonio Palomino, stand out for their expanse and vibrant colors.

Alongside the paintings in the nave, the chapels, facades, and stained glass windows have been restored, applying the latest technological advancements in the field of restoration and special cleaning technologies for mural paintings with lasers.