Abstract/Estratto The publication of this booklet was inspired by the conservation treatment for the mosaic of the Transfiguration, located in the apse of the basilica of the Monastery of St. Catherine's in the Sinai. As with all works of art, mosaics do not enjoy eternal life because of their very nature; to the contrary, they are fragile and need care and attention. Alarmed by clear signs of decay in the mosaic, the monastic community of St. Catherine's embarked on a conservation program and entrusted the work to the CCA, Center for Archaeological Conservation, Rome. The treatment, which began in November 2005, will be long, delicate and complex. It is scheduled for completion in late 2009.

The booklet was produced in Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Russian and Spanish. It explains the mosaic's history and the conservation treatment, and permits the reader to appreciate the mosaic's beauty through new images. In this way, visitors will take away a souvenir of their visit and an understanding of how much the monks do every day to protect the immense heritage in their care.