ARNÓTH Ádám

Conservation of Castles and Ruins

Abstract

The article presents the conservation practice of castles and ruins. While for the conservation works under the National Inspectorate of Historic Monuments scientific validation and inventive modernist architecture were primary features, signs of hesitation have risen recently. The romantic expectations of the public – coupled in some cases with the researchers’ exaggerated confidence – have shifted the earlier practice towards reconstruction. The article illustrates, with the help of examples, the abuses occurring during conservation works, as well as the attempt to balance the different tendencies. Keywords: castles, ruins, conservation, reconstruction, renewed conservation, authenticity, public expectation

Milagros FLORES ROMAN

Fortresses Once Again in Use

Abstract

Concepute pentru a proteja fie oamenii, fie un teritoriu, fortificaţiile fac parte din istoria omenirii. Ele sunt elemente atât ale trecutului nostru, cât şi ale patrimoniului nostru actual. Fortificaþiile de la San Juan, Puerto Rico, au fost ridicate datorită permanentelor ameninţări de atac asupra domeniilor spaniole din Caraibe. Regele Filip al II-lea al Spaniei a reacţionat la aceste pericole, ordonând ca insula să fie fortificată. În acest fel, insula Puerto Rico a devenit parte a Planului spaniol pentru apărarea Caraibelor şi parte din moştenirea de inginerie militară pe care ANTONELLI a lăsat-o lumii. Insula a fost inclusă în ceea ce, mai târziu, a devenit ruta fortificată din Caraibe, care a inclus porturile fortificate din San Juan de Ulua, Veracruz, Havana, Cartagena de Indias, Portobelo, Nombre de Dios, La Guaira şi Santa Marta. Această prezentare va comenta asupra evoluţiei fortificaţiilor de la San Juan, Puerto Rico, de când au luat fiinţă şi până la rolul lor de astăzi, acela de sit din Parcul Naţional. Cuvinte cheie: fortificaţii, apărare, San Juan, Caraibe, Spania, UNESCO, ANTONELLI

Robert TREUFELDT

Introducing the Prussian System to the Coastal Defence of Tallinn, an Important Naval Base of the Russian Empire (1820-1840)

Abstract

Tallinn, as a fortified town, was known in the Middle Ages for the remarkable dimensions of its curtain walls, almost unseen elsewhere in Northern Europe. There probably were as well some solitary defence structures away from the town wall, in order to protect the coast and harbour. Detached fortifications located outside the town were planned no earlier than the end of the 17th century. Keywords: fortified town, Tallinn, Prussian system, fortification, curtain walls

Filip JAŠŠO | Noémi LACZKOVÁ

Castle Ruins in Western Slovakia

Abstract

The first part of the lecture discusses the survey of the situation of castle and castle ruin conservation in Slovakia during the last 50 years. Different approaches are characterised depending on the historic building’s type, its condition and on the financial resources of the investor, illustrated in polarity between extensive reconstruction projects and subtle conservations provided by civic associations and volunteers. Both advantages and disadvantages of these approaches are analysed. The specific examples of the “subtle approach” are presented in the second part of the contribution; we illustrate this through the description of archaeological excavations and consecutive conservation interventions on the Čierny hrad, Dobrá Voda and Branč castle ruins in western Slovakia – projects developed with the personal participation of the authors. Keywords: castle, ruin, preservation, conservation, archaeology

TEREI György

Castles and Non-Governmental Organizations in Hungary

Abstract

In Hungary, the number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO-s) preoccupied with castles was limited until the fall of communism. After the 1990s, however, their number quickly increased. In general, it was the inhabitants of a castle’s neighbouring region that organised themselves into various associations. Their goals most commonly included the preservation, conservation of the castles and raising the public awareness about them. Most associations establish links with the local museum, the National Office of Cultural Heritage or with specialists in castle research. The most important problem is that a fruitful dialogue, which would support the works, rarely develops. In some cases, their well-intended actions meant to further the works even break the law. In the article we will present the Association of the Castles of Northern Hungary, On the way to Northern Castles, the Friends of Csókakõ Castle Association, the Association for the Kereki Castle, the Veszprém County Castellanship, the Friends of Szádvár and the Castrum Bene Association. Keywords: castles, touristic associations, NGO-s, National Office of Cultural Heritage, Association of the Castles of Northern Hungary, On the way to Northern Castles, Friends of Csókakõ Castle Association, Association for the Kereki Castle, Veszprém County Castellanship, Friends of Szádvár, Castrum Bene Association

Domingos BUCHO

Systems and Schools of Bulwarked Fortification Adopted in Elvas (Portugal)

Abstract

The article presents, in a short version, the system of bulwarked fortification adopted in the historical centre of Elvas. It stresses the role of the Jesuit COSMANDER, who in the course of design used the treatise of MAROLOIS as theoretical reference. The comparison between the MAROLOIS’ treatise and the fortification in Elvas reveals that the fortification’s construction was indeed the adaptation of the Old Dutch Method to the town’s irregular ground. Keywords: Elvas, COSMANDER, System of Bulwarked Fortification, Old Dutch Method

Hans-Rudolf NEUMANN

Short History about the Historical Development of Fortifications in Europe and their Typology in Modern Age

Abstract

Using the example of pictures, the report shows a short history about the historical development of fortifications in Europe and their typology in modern age. Beginning in the eastern countries of the Mediterranean Sea, the development found its way from Italy to France and the Netherlands, ending in the Prussian and Austrian fortification periods of the 19th century. Also, territorial fortifications with bunker lines like the Maginot- or Stalin-Line of the 20th century are part of the historical development and are concluding the fortress period of modern age. It is only for this period that we have, for the moment, some proven knowledge about the typology, although we need further scientific research. For the period of earlier times, more evaluation of archaeological results is needed. Keywords: historical development, fortifications, Europe, castellum, Germany, fortified cities, major fortresses, territorial fortifications

IN MEMORIAM

eng. Ádám MAKSAY