The largest medieval fresco in Transylvania, covering an area of 260 square metres, located in the village of Smig, Alma commune, is being restored with the support of students from seven European countries, the Sibiu County Council announced on its Facebook page on Thursday.

'For the first time this year, we will have three summer schools for students training in the conservation of architectural surfaces. They come from Romania, Hungary, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy, all aware of the unique opportunity they have here in Smig, where they can learn in practice about restoration and conservation on a medieval fresco. In Europe, such opportunities are now rare, as most works of this kind have already been restored,' said Alexander Kloos, a German citizen involved in the restoration project.

According to the quoted source, 'the fresco depicts the Legend of Saint Ladislaus, the Prayer of Saint Catherine or the Living Cross, important themes specific to medieval Catholicism. A fresco of such size in a village church is rare even in Europe.'

Restoration specialist Lorand Kiss said that the mural painting was discovered around two decades ago and was most likely created by the same artist who also worked on the church in Malancrav.

'It is a fresco whose existence was unknown 20 years ago. It was probably created by the same painter who also worked on the church in Malancrav. Egg yolk was used for yellow, while casein from milk was used as a binding medium for the colours. Of course, charcoal for black and copper oxide for green were also used,' Lorand Kiss explained.

The fresco had been covered in the past with lime or plaster in the context of confessional changes, but it was not destroyed, which has allowed it to be brought back to light in recent years.

Today, the village of Smig brings together believers of several denominations - Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Evangelical, Reformed and Orthodox - and attracts tourists interested in the historical and cultural heritage of the Tarnava area. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Isabela Paulescu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)