KOLOZSI Tibor

Aspects Related to the Conservation of the Bronze Statues of the Matthias I Sculptural Group Located in the Main Square of Cluj Napoca

Abstract

The “Matthias I” sculptural group, the work of the sculptor János FADRUSZ, unveiled in 1902, is located in the very heart of Cluj-Napoca, along the north-south axis of Unirii Square, set against the south elevation of Saint Michael’s Church. The sculptural ensemble is made of the king’s monumental equestrian statue, placed on a tall pedestal – the central element of the composition and of four auxiliary figures representing fighters in armour, carrying swords, a sceptre and flags, grouped two by two at the lower level of the pediment. The imperatively needed conservation of this monument was launched in 2006 and was followed by a series of administrative procedures. The rehabilitation design focused on three main lines: consolidation of the infrastructure and superstructures of the sculptural group, conservation of the bronze artistic components and of those made of sculpted stone. The implementation works were initiated in the summer of 2009. The present paper introduces the essential moments of the bronze statues conservation process. Keywords: “Matthias I” sculptural group, Cluj, bronze artistic components, sculpted stone, conservation process

SZABÓ Bálint

Structural Renovation of the Matthias I Sculptural Group's Pediment in Cluj

Abstract

The Matthias I sculptural group in Cluj, inaugurated in 1902, underwent no interventions in the second part of the 20th century. Therefore the works, commenced in 2006 and completed in 2010, were long overdue and lead to the conservation of the ensemble in borderline condition. The paper discusses the structural renovation of the sculptural group’s pediment, describing in detail the works carried out on the pedestal supporting King Matthias on his horse, as well as on the plinth that support the secondary figures. Keywords: Matthias I sculptural group, Cluj, structural renovation, stone pediment conservation

MIHÁLY Ferenc

On Transylvanian Sounding Boards

Abstract

The pulpit is a characteristic element of Transylvanian church furnishing. In the development and spreading process of pulpits known today, a crucial role was played by the mendicant and preaching orders, who put an emphasis on sermons that could be well heard and seen by larger masses. The pulpit was usually placed on the northern side of the nave, at its meeting point with the chancel, or it adjoined the nave’s northern wall; being set upon a base or a projecting corbel and topped by a sounding board. Keywords: Transylvanian church, pulpit, sounding board

Christoph MACHAT

The Conservation of the Fortified Church in Drăuşeni (Draas, Homoróddaróc)

Abstract

Like all the other Transylvanian Saxon villages, Drãuşeni can also look back on an eventful history of many centuries.Since after World War II the Saxon population in Drãuşeni had steadily decreased and in the late 1960s barely any church members lived in the village, the church was in poor condition due to lack of maintenance. Considering the architectural and art historical significance of the fortified church in Drãuşeni, the conservation of the entire building ensemble must be continued with useful measures at once. Keywords: fortified church, Romanesque basilica, western tower, western gallery, crocket capital, mural painting, fortification, conservation, art history

VALTER Ilona

Introducing the Műemlékvédelem Journal

Abstract

In our Publications section we return with the presentation of the Historic Building Conservation (original title: Mûemlékvédelem) journal, which is published in Budapest, in Hungarian. Its first issue was launched in 1957 in Hungary, and it is due to this journal that we are able to reconstruct at present the historic building conservation activity of the more than five decades that have passed. In the following you may read the introductive article of chief editor, Ilona VALTER, Ph.D., which reviews the activity and achievements of the last few years.

Dan LUNGU

A Statistic Analysis of the Structure of National Conservation Plan (2007-2010)

Abstract

The National Conservation Plan (NCP) is probably the main government instrument for the conservation and rehabilitation of built heritage in Romania. It was developed through the National Heritage Institute (NHI) and before 2009, through the National Historic Monuments Office, with the approval of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (previously, the Ministry of Culture and Cults). A statistic analysis of the objectives in the NCP (function, distribution throughout the territory, type of conservation works, etc.) and of the amounts allotted to these objectives over the past 4 years (2007-2010) points out a set of criteria that can be translated into a strategic development of the NCP in the following years. Mention must be made of the fact that the amounts allotted to the NCP are precisely those in the NCP (not corrected to reflect inflation) and that the NCP 2010 version dating from 23.03.2010 is considered to be the reference for the year 2010. Keywords: National Conservation Plan (2007-2010), National Heritage Institute, Romania, statistic analysis, fund

SÁROSI Béla

Rehabilitating the Historic Doors and Windows of the Márton Áron College

Abstract

The impressive, already one hundred years old building of the Márton Áron College, Miercurea Ciuc (Romania), has recently been refurbished. The works raised the possibility of preserving and rehabilitating the old doors and windows as well. The study presents the theoretical and building physics foundations of the completed refurbishing, and describes the three most important methods (involving the largest number of elements) of refurbishing doors and windows. Keywords: historic doors and windows, coupled frames, ornamental frames, panel, opening sash, insulated window, layered timber, decay, refurbishment, sustainability, noise insulation, airtight insulation, filtration, condensation, heat transfer factor

KIRIZSÁN Imola

Transylvanian Historic Roof Structures Database

Abstract

Historic roof structures are loadbearing structures made of timber, according to an empirical and intuitive design, without the support of a structural engineering theory. They rest exclusively on supporting subunits (load-bearing walls, pillars and columns), usually arranged on the external outline of the building, without resting on slabs or vaults (moreover, it’s these timber roof slabs that are often hanging from the historic roof structures). There is no unitary or widely-used terminology, classification, or typology related to this type of built heritage, although the building of a database should require the use of a common language, which would facilitate the dialogue among specialists. Due to the lack of common grounds, specialists have been elaborating their own nomenclature, based on different classification criteria. This paper presents the main types of regional historic roof structures in Europe, respectively the selection criteria for the information included in the database, while emphasizing the need for the creation of an inventory for this type of built heritage. While proposing classification criteria based on the mechanic behavior of historic roof structures, this paper presents a database of roof structures in Transylvania, still under construction. Keywords: historic roof structures, classification criteria, databases, heritage values