The Church St. Salvator in Schwäbisch Gmünd was developed as an upper and lower chapel between 1617 and 1621 by Kaspar Vogt as a natural church built in a rock above Schwäbisch Gmünd. The pilgrimage church has an illustration unique in Germany: a relief from the life of Christ (Ölberg illustration, created 1620), which was carved directly out of the precipice. However, the wall surfaces are under threat of being destroyed by the elements. In order to maintain the valuable illustration, scientists from the Materialprüfungsanstalt (MPA) (Materials Testing Institute) from the University of Stuttgart are developing methods to preserve the chapels. The research project is funded by Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt und der Denkmalpflege (German Foundation for the Environment and Monument Preservation); other companies are involved, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege (Regional Office for Monument Preservation) and the Catholic parish of Heilig-Kreuz Schwäbisch Gmünd as the owner. An official kick-off event with the presentation of the project and an inspection of the rock chapel as well as welcome addresses by representatives from the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege (State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) and the parish will be taking place on Wednesday 26 th January.