Intramuros' San Agustin Church to undergo restorative cleaning

The centuries-old San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila is set to undergo restorative cleaning this week.

The structure completed in 1604 is currently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but part of its splendor has visibly accumulated biological growth and emission pollution.

German-based cleaning company Kärcher intends to restore luster to the church’s delicate limestone facade using “hot water high-pressure" cleaning technology by the end of this week starting Friday.

The company will also be cleansing the church convent’s exterior, parts of which have also blackened over time.

The cleaning will be overseen by one of Kärcher’s cleaning experts Thorsten Mowes who did a demonstration during the launch on Thursday.

UNESCO World Heritage Site San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila will be undergoing a cleaning and restoration program in partnership with German cleaning tech company Karcher @gmanews pic.twitter.com/pky8SZyWhq

— Margaret Claire (@MClaireLayug) November 14, 2019

The "non-invasive" cleaning technique had the approval of the church’s museum director Fr. Ricky Villar, who announced that Kärcher has given the church its own cleaning unit for maintenance.

Villar also wants to allay fears that the cleaning activity might damage the centuries-old structure.

“I encourage them to witness the process of cleaning para makita nila kung paano linilinis kasi its a unique technology na talagang guaranteed safe po siya," Villar told GMA News Online.

“Actually, in-announce ko nga po sa ibang tour guide na kapag pumupunta sila dito, pwede po nilang dalhin ang kanilang group (to witness the cleaning)," he added.

Kärcher is the same company that worked on the Rizal Monument in December 2017 and the People Power Monument in February 2018.

The San Agustin Church cleanup is part of the company's global cleaning initiative focused on preserving historical monuments and buildings all over the world.

Some of these sites are much, much older than San Agustin Church.

These include the 3,300-year-old Colossi of Memnon in Egypt, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the Statue of Liberty in New York, Space Needle in Seattle, Statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Colonnades in Vatican City, London Eye in the United Kingdom, and more.

—JCB, GMA News