Das Projekt "Kuenstlicher Marmor des Barock: Umwelteinfluesse, Verwitterung und Schutz" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Hamburg, Institut für Anorganische und Angewandte Chemie durchgeführt. ENVIART-project is concerned with degradation and weathering of artificial marble by environmental and climate impacts. Hygric and thermal swelling and shrinking processes as well as crystallization of salts are responsible for the deterioration of highly valuable baroque marble imitations, used for the decoration of church and palace interiors in Central and South Eastern Europe. For a better understanding of the weathering mechanisms and to avoid further damage to these materials, basic investigations into their physical and chemical properties and studies of their interaction with humidity and climate are urgently needed. The investigations planned will mainly be carried out at the Dukes Chapel, being part of the famous Cistercian abbey in lower Silesia/Poland. The church is a masterpiece of European baroque architecture with rich artificial marble decoration of the interior. Environmental impacts from ground water, drained precipitation from outside as well as temperature and humidity changes inside the church resulted in damage of the colourful plasters. The investigations will be carried out by an internationally experienced group of scientists in close contact to restorators. The project outcome will allow the identification of degradation mechanisms and to give recommendation of general validity which will serve as guidelines for restoration of baroque artificial marble. Furthermore, the results of the investigations should contribute to a scientifically based restoration concept of the Dukes Chapel.