La malta Minéros di Max Krusemark: un unguento amarillo per il restauro dei materiali lapidei nel Secondo Dopoguerra in Spagna

The contribution aims to reflect on the conservation of stone materials in architecture through the experiments carried out by Max Krusemark on the Spanish archaeological and architectural heritage after the Second World War. He, after years of laboratory research and numerous restorative experiments in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, patented the Minéros, an innovative refractory mortar, causing a wide debate. Spain questioned the possibility of applying the ungúento amarillo, consisting of an addition of silicic acid on ancient stones now lacking the original natural physical characteristics. This application would have made it possible to speed up the restoration and reconstruction of the most significant national archaeological and architectural sites, especially considering the limited economic resources and tight timing of action. Through interesting case studies and references to the contemporary Italian debate on the role of technology and innovative materials in the restoration and conservation work, the contribution investigates the operating methods, the results, and consequences of the application of Minéros mortar on the Spanish architectural and archaeological heritage.