Italian specialists from the prestigious Opificio delle Pietre Dure Institute in Florence have been restoring the most endangered sections of the Garni bathhouse mosaic since September 1. Some parts of the artwork have been cleaned, several areas reinforced, and additional conservation measures implemented. They also analyzed materials from restoration efforts conducted about 30 years ago to assess the durability and suitability of previous binding agents. Following partial repairs, the mosaic will be conserved, with further work planned in October after additional studies.
Specialists from Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports on Monday visited the Garni Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve in Kotayk Province to review ongoing restoration work on the site’s Roman-era bathhouse mosaic. The visit allowed Armenian experts to observe firsthand the conservation techniques being applied.
The restoration of the ancient mosaic floors is being carried out by experts from the prestigious Opificio delle Pietre Dure Institute in Florence, internationally recognized for its excellence in cultural conservation. This three-year project involves not only the reconstruction of the intricate floor mosaics but also comprehensive structural work to preserve the architectural integrity of the entire complex. In March 2024, Italian specialists conducted preliminary research and on-site measurements, laying the foundation for the active restoration phase now underway.
In May 2025, Armenian authorities began formal cooperation with leading Italian experts for the restoration of the Garni Temple bathhouse. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports announced that it had delegated the restoration project following an earlier plan developed in 2019 by Italian architect Lucio Speca. Speca’s plan, titled “Revaluing and Restoring the Garni Bathhouse,” outlined the restoration and reinforcement of the mosaic floors and the replacement of the bathhouse cover with modern architectural solutions. Given the significance of the Garni Temple and its bathhouse, and the methodology proposed by Speca, the ministry initiated negotiations with the Italian side, culminating in a 2024 agreement to implement the mosaic restoration through L’Opificio delle Pietre Dure, with the support of the Italian Embassy in Armenia. The institute, a specialized body of Italy’s Ministry of Culture for the research and restoration of monumental art, conducted on-site measurements in 2024 and continued the process with sampling in April–May 2025. The restoration work officially commenced in 2025.
Armenian restorers from the Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment and Cultural Museum-Reserves are actively participating in the project, gaining practical experience to support the site’s long-term preservation. Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and strongly supported by the Italian Embassy in Armenia, the project safeguards a vital part of Armenia’s cultural heritage while strengthening cultural exchange between the two countries, representing Italy’s contribution to the preservation of global historical treasures.
The bathhouse of the Garni Temple dates back to the third century CE.
