Abstract
The Silk Exchange of Valencia, Spain, is one of the best examples of late Gothic civil
architecture in Europe, and was declared a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO in
1996. Prior to cleaning and conservation, technical examination identified the original
pigments used to paint the walls, keys, vaults, arches and columns in the main hall, the
Contract Hall. Cross sections of remnants of original colour (blue, green, red, gold, etc.)
were investigated with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy
dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction techniques and UV light. The study has
revealed that the original paint today remains only in very limited areas. Evidence for a
later maintenance operation of repainting was also found in the inscription that runs
around the Contract Hall. The information has been very useful for deciding on the
cleaning and conservation process.
