Restoration of the stained glass windows of the British Cemetery of Valencia

Abstract

[EN] Light is a phenomenon that, due to its mysticism, has often been used by different religions and philosophies. In art, this phenomenon is directly related to stained glass windows. In the Middle Ages they were made by glaziers who followed artisanal techniques. These techniques were developed in the heyday of stained glass, but afterwards they were on the verge of disappearing for several centuries. In the 19th century stained glass reappeared but the lack of knowledge about the original artisanal techniques was a great problem. Nowadays, the same problem has to be faced, stained glass windows are features worthy of preservation, but their construction and therefore their maintenance require artisanal techniques which are now disappearing. An example of the reappearance of these skills can be found in the restoration of the stained glass windows of the British Cemetery of Valencia by a special employment centre, run by specialists and carried out by artisans in glass work. This paper will present the work carried out in the recovery of this part of the Valencian traditional heritage, presenting all the stages, such as disassembly, repair and replacement. In addition, this paper will explore the results of the work, restoring the splendour of the windows to the buildings in which they are placed.