Conservation of monuments

Glossary of Definitions

At the Foundation, the definition of a monument we use is the one contained in the Venice Charter:

“The concept of a monument embraces not only the single architectural work but also the urban or rural setting in which is found the evidence of a particular civilization, a significant development, or a historic event. This applies not only to great works of art but also to more modest works of the past which have acquired cultural significance with the passing of time.”

What does this mean in practice?

We believe that every building that holds meaning for its local community and represents even the smallest cultural value, regardless of whether it has official monument status in a register, deserves care and protection. Monuments are places that can bring people together, gathering around them emotions and memories. That is why at the 8Marca Foundation we are deeply convinced that it is precisely in these places that it is possible to initiate positive change, foster education, stimulate local development, and build a sustainable future.

Tangible heritage – refers to physical artifacts created, preserved, and passed down from generation to generation. It includes works of art, buildings, monuments, and other physical or material products of human creativity that hold cultural significance in society.

Intangible heritage – means practices, knowledge, and skills – as well as the instruments, objects, and cultural spaces associated with them – which communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.

On the Concept of Monuments and the History of Conservation

The tradition of collecting valuable objects, passing them down to descendants, and investing in lasting residences that testify to status has accompanied humanity since the dawn of civilization. However, the philosophy of heritage conservation as we know it today is a much later concept. The idea of preserving and conserving monuments emerged gradually, along with the development of archaeology and other disciplines focused on analyzing the past through artifacts.

We can speak about the beginnings of conservation roughly from the second half of the 18th century. At that time, heritage protection mainly involved the repair and archiving of movable goods (e.g. sculptures, jewelry, paintings) and immovable goods (e.g. castles, manors, parks, places of worship).

A true breakthrough in the development of conservation philosophy and practice occurred in the 19th century. Two main approaches emerged: conservation, whose most distinguished representative was the English artist John Ruskin, and reconstruction, most often associated with the French architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.

Even then, monuments evoked strong emotions and deeply influenced the imagination of society.

The beginnings of modern conservation date back to 1931, when the Athens Charter was adopted, providing common foundations, setting standards and definitions intended to inspire and serve as a reference point for architects, urban planners, art historians, and artists around the world.

Modern heritage conservation is, above all, a way of thinking – a philosophical approach that assumes we must first understand the value of the object we want to protect, and then use that understanding to ensure that any work undertaken causes as little harm as possible to the features that maintain or express that value. Put simply, the contemporary concept of conservation is based on the idea of safeguarding the essence of a given historical object – whether that essence is material or intangible – which society wishes to preserve and pass on to future generations.

Since 1931, much has changed. UNESCO’s activity has expanded, and the World Heritage List was created. Organizations such as ICCROM and ICOMOS were established. Nearly every country now has national and regional registers of monuments. Further documents, treaties, and directives have been developed to promote more conscious and sustainable heritage conservation.

Until recently, however, the subject of monuments and heritage remained on the margins of public attention, media focus, and policymaking. Today, in the context of the climate crisis, growing consumer awareness, and the increasing popularity of recycling, reuse, and upscaling, monuments and heritage are slowly finding their place in the discussion on a sustainable future.

We have already heard the statement that the 21st century will belong to conservators. Not because we want to return to the past, but because – aware of shrinking resources – we must learn anew how to make use of what is already available to us, including historic buildings. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel or deprive ourselves of the comforts of the 21st century. It is enough to combine new technologies with a few good practices from the past to fully unlock the potential hidden in historic buildings. And it is worth remembering that they make up nearly 40% of the places where we live and work!

Wspieram Fundację 8Marca!