Macroscopical morphology of deterioration of the stone in the Cathedral of Seville, Spain

Abstract

The lithotype mainly used in the construction of the Cathedral of Seville is the calcarenite from Puerto de Santa f\/laria followed by the limestone from Espera. The primordial extrinsecal factor of deterioration is the atmospherical contamination, mainly sulphur oxides and smoke, within a humid environment. From both factors, the porose stone of a carbonated nature and the acid environment, we can deduce that the principal mechanism of deterioration is the chemical attack; the most important indicators of deterioration that have been found are the deposits and arenizations. In a "grosso modo" valoration we can say that the stone of structural employment is well conserved in its majority while the ornamental stone is degraded at 80%. Half the cresting is in a state of ruin and 20% of the tips have been removed or will have to be in the near future.