Morfología macroscópica de alteración de la piedra de la Catedral de Baeza, Jaén (España)

The main factors of deterioration that affect the Cathedral of Baeza are of a natural origin, basically thermic and hydraulic. Two types of calcarenite were employed in the construction of the major part of this building: one 'franca" of medium porosity and another "viva " harder and more compact, both extracted from the quarries in the area. The most frequent mechanisms of deterioration are those bound to crystallization-dissolution and hydration-dehydration of salts, as well as freezing inside the pores. Façade-by-façade description of the deterioration indicators is provided; the most common ones tend to be fissures, grain disgregations and disjunctions.