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Classical Weimar

Germany
Factors affecting the property in 2005*
  • Other Threats:

    Fire

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Fire at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library;

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2005
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2005**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2005

On 3 September 2004, a fire destroyed about 30,000 books in the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, a 16th-century palace which is part of the World Heritage property Classical Weimar.  The 400-year-old library contained the most outstanding collection of 17th- and 18th century German literature, as reflected in criterion (vi) of the inscription of the property.  Most of the damage was caused by smoke and water, rather than flames.  Due to their high value, the volumes could not be insured.  The German authorities as well as private organizations immediately provided help both in kind and in financial terms.  However, the situation remains preoccupying.  The fire occurred shortly before the initiation of restoration work at the Library when the security system of the house would have been adapted to modern standards.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2005
29 COM 7B.76
Classical Weimar (Germany)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2. Regretting the fire damage at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, part of the Classical Weimar World Heritage property and the loss of the extraordinary collection of literature, which is partly included in the register "Memory of the World",

3. Notes with appreciation the considerable immediate assistance provided to the property;

4. Encourages the State Party of Germany to continue its support to the restoration of the Library and to ensure appropriate risk prevention at the World Heritage property;

5. Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2007 with a progress report on the restoration work at the Library.

Draft Decision: 29 COM 7B.76

The World Heritage Committee,

1.  Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2.  Regretting the fire damage at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, part of the Classical Weimar World Heritage property and the loss of the extraordinary collection of literature, which is partly included in the register “Memory of the World”,

3.  Notes with appreciation the considerable immediate assistance provided to the property;

4.  Encourages the State Party to continue its support to the restoration of the Library and to ensure appropriate risk prevention at the World Heritage property;

5.  Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a progress report on the restoration work at the Library by 1 February 2007.

 

Report year: 2005
Germany
Date of Inscription: 1998
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iii)(vi)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 29COM (2005)
Exports

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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