The Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments.
Adopted at the First International Congress of Architects and Technicians Historic Monuments, Athens 1931.
seven main resolutions were presented to Congress in Athens and called "Carta del Restauro"
- International organizations providing advice and acting on an operational level in the field of restoration of historical monuments to be created .
- Restoration projects should be subjected to criticism to avoid errors leading to loss of character and historical values of the monuments.
- In each state, the problems conservation of historic sites must be resolved by national legislation.
- Excavated sites which are not subject to immediate restoration should be reburied for their protection.
- techniques and modern materials can be used for restoration work.
- Historic sites must be protected by a strict system guarding.
- The protection of areas surrounding historic sites should be given special attention.
Conclusions of the Athens Conference, 21-30 October 1931.
General conclusions.
I. - Doctrines. General principles.
The Conference heard the statement of general principles and doctrines relating to the Protection of Monuments.
Whatever the diversity of cases which each species may have a solution, it was found that in the different countries represented predominantly a general tendency to abandon restorations in toto and to avoid risks by establishing a regular and permanent maintenance calculated to ensure the conservation of buildings.
If a restoration is necessary due to damage or destruction, she recommends following the historic and artistic work of the past, without excluding the style of any era.
The Conference recommends maintaining the occupation of the buildings, which ensures the continuity of their lives by devoting however assignments that meet their historic or artistic character.
II. - Administration and legislation of historic monuments.
The Conference heard the statement of legislative purpose is to protect the monuments of historical, artistic or scientific work belonging to different nations.
It unanimously approved the general tendency which, in this respect a right of the community vis-à-vis private property.
It found that the differences between these laws due to the difficulty of reconciling public law and private rights.
Consequently, while approving the general tendency of these laws, it considers they must be appropriate to local circumstances and the state of public opinion in order to meet the least opposition possible, taking into account the owners of the sacrifices they are called to stand in the public interest .
It recommends that in each public authority is empowered to take in case of emergency protective measures.
She sincerely hopes that the International Museums Office will publish a repertory and a comparative table of the laws in force in different States and keep up to date.
III. - Enhancement of monuments.
The Conference recommends that respect, the construction of buildings in the character and appearance of cities, particularly in the vicinity of ancient monuments whose family must be the object of special care. Even certain groupings and certain particularly picturesque perspective treatment should be preserved. It is also necessary to study the ornamental vegetation most suited to certain monuments or groups of monuments to preserve their ancient character.
She recommends the suppression of all advertising, presence of any abusive posts or son Telegraph, of all noisy factories and even of tall shafts in the vicinity of monuments of art or history.
IV. - The restoration materials.
The experts heard various communications concerning the use of modern materials for the consolidation of ancient buildings.
They approved the judicious use of all resources of modern technique and more especially of reinforced concrete.
They specified that this consolidation should be concealed where possible, in order not to alter the appearance and character of the building to restore.
They recommended especially in cases where they can avoid the dangers of dismantling and reinstating the portions to be retained.
V. - The deterioration of monuments.
The Conference notes that, under the conditions of modern life, monuments throughout the world are increasingly threatened by weather.
Outside the usual precautions and solutions successfully applied in the preservation of monumental statuary in current methods, we can not, given the complexity of cases in the state current knowledge, to formulate general rules.
The Conference recommends:
- collaboration in each country, conservatives and architectural monuments with representatives of the physical sciences, chemical and natural methods to achieve applicable to different cases.
- It recommends that the International Museums Office to keep abreast of the work undertaken in each country in this field and make room in its publications.
The Conference, as regards the preservation of monumental sculpture, considers that the removal of works in the context in which they were created is a "principle" regrettable.
It recommends, as a precaution, preservation, if they exist yet, the original models and default execution core.
VI. - The technique of conservation.
The Conference notes with satisfaction that the principles and techniques outlined in detail the various communications are based on a common trend, namely:
case of ruins, scrupulous conservation required, with replacement of original elements found (anastylosis) whenever the case permits; new materials needed for this purpose should be recognizable. When the preservation of ruins brought to light during a search can not be recognized, it is advisable to bury them again after obviously taking accurate readings.
It goes without saying that the technology and conservation of a search require the close collaboration of archaeologist and architect.
regard to other monuments, the experts unanimously agreed that, before any consolidation or partial restoration, analysis scrupulous diseases of these monuments. They recognized that each case would normally constitute a particular case.
VII. The conservation of monuments and international collaboration
a) Technical cooperation and moral.
The Conference believes that the preservation of archaeological and artistic heritage of humanity that interests the community of States, the guardian of civilization
Hopes that the States, acting in the spirit of the Covenant of the League of Nations, lend themselves increasingly extensive collaboration and more concrete to promote conservation of monuments of art and history;
Considers it highly desirable that qualified institutions and associations should, without any manner whatsoever prejudicing international public law, express interest in the preservation of masterpieces in which the civilization has been expressed at the highest level and who seem threatened;
Expresses the wish that requests to that effect, subject to the organization of Intellectual Cooperation of the League of Nations, be recommended to the earnest attention of States .
It belongs to the International Commission of Cooperation intellectual, upon investigation by the International Museums Office and after having collected all relevant information, including from the National Commission on Intellectual Cooperation in question, to decide on the expediency of the steps to be taken and the procedure to be followed in each case particular.
Members of the Conference, after having visited in the course of their work and study cruise they have done on this occasion, several of the major excavation sites and ancient monuments of Greece, were unanimous in paying tribute to the Hellenic Government, who for many years, at the same time he assured himself of considerable work, has accepted the collaboration of archaeologists and experts from all countries.
They saw an example that will contribute to achieving the aims of intellectual co-operation with their need had arisen during their work.
b) The role of education in the respect of monuments.
The Conference is deeply convinced that the best guarantee of preservation of monuments and works of art derives from the respect and attachment of peoples themselves.
Considering that these feelings can be facilitated by an appropriate government.
Expresses the hope that educators Children and young people to abstain from disfiguring monuments of any kind, and learn to better engage, in general, protection of evidence civilization.
c) Value of international documentation.
The Conference expresses the wish that:
- Each state or institution established or recognized organizations to this end, publish an inventory of ancient monuments, with photographs and explanatory notes;
- Each country constitute official records which shall contain all documents relating to its historic monuments;
- Each State shall file with the Office International des museum publications;
- The Agency devotes its publications to articles on general processes and methods of conservation of historic monuments;
- The Office study the best use of information and centralized.
0 comments:
Post a Comment