With the works started in November 2019, the variations in temperature and relative humidity parameters inside the church were also taken into consideration. The very high level of humidity manifests itself with macroscopic effects such as the extensive growth of microorganisms, mainly in the apsidal area and the right aisle, and the abundant amounts of soluble salts crystallised on the surfaces.
The monitoring was carried out starting in November 2019 and continued throughout the duration of the site until its closure in March 2020. A total of three parameters were considered: relative humidity, air temperature and rainfall, measured at three different times of the day, at 05:00, 13:00 and 19:00, and the average value of relative humidity and temperature were calculated for each month.
The study also utilised historical data from the Civil Protection of the Basilicata region. The data analysis provided a general picture of the environmental conditions of the church and the resulting degradation problems. An overall constant temperature trend was highlighted, with daily fluctuations in the order of a few degrees and, at the same time, a strong variability of relative humidity, to be related to weather conditions.
During the monitoring, an increase in salt efflorescence was also observed in the days following the increase in relative humidity; the source of so much moisture inside the church is most likely related to the infiltration of rainwater coming from the structures above the church’s exterior roofs.