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15th Century Tannery Vats Saved from Decay
6 Jun
Summary
- Historic 15th-century tanning vats at Rievaulx Abbey are being conserved.
- Past restoration efforts used incompatible materials like cement.
- Work is restoring the vats with historically accurate materials.
Historic 15th-century tanning vats at Rievaulx Abbey are undergoing urgent conservation efforts. These ancient structures were crucial for treating animal hides to produce leather.
Previous restoration in the 1920s utilized incompatible materials like cement, leading to degradation exacerbated by heavy rainfall. Conservators are now meticulously restoring the vats using sympathetic and compatible materials, following original recipes.
The tannery at Rievaulx Abbey is recognized as the oldest surviving monastic tannery in Europe. Although the abbey itself dates back to the 12th century, the tanning vats are believed to have been constructed in the late 15th or early 16th century.
The industrial nature of the tannery, a stark contrast to the monastic tranquility, involved processes using bark, lime, and urine. The conservation work is nearing completion, with the vats scheduled to reopen later this year.
