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State of Conservation (SOC)

Vilnius Historic Centre (2005)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1995-2000)
Total Amount Ap proved: 138,180USD

2000 Computer equipment for the OTRA-Information Centre in the Old ...   5,000  USD
2000 Vilnius Old Town Revitalisation Programme (Lithuania)   10,000  USD
1999 Vilnius Old Town Revitalization Programme   0  USD
1999 Old Town Revitalisation Agency - OTRA   20,000  USD
1998 Enhancing of functional capability of public organisations ...   20,000  USD
1998 Old town of Vilnius   19,550  USD
1997 Technical cooperation for the churches of St Bernard and St ...   15,000  USD
1997 Request to Organize a Training Course in Edinburgh Old Town for ...   8,630  USD
1996 Financial assistance to launch the rehabilitation programme of ...   25,000  USD
1995 Restoration strategy for the Old Town of Vilnius   15,000  USD
Missions**

UNESCO missions 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000;

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Rehabilitation and restoration programme; urgent restoration and infrastructural upgrading; revitalisation programme.

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

The World Heritage Centre has received letters from Lithuania citizens calling attention to a ‘Detailed Plan’ for Vilnius, which if approved, will have a serious impact on the Old City of Vilnius.  Some of the issues raised are destruction of green spaces, development of high-rise buildings and changes to the historic character of houses. 

The World Heritage Centre arranged a meeting with the Permanent Delegation of Lithuania and ICOMOS on 22 April 2005 to discuss these issues.  The Permanent Delegation explained that, in response to the preparation of the ‘Detailed Plan’ for Vilnius, Lithuania invited three independent teams of experts to review the plan.  According to the recommendations of these experts, this plan is being revised taking into account the importance of Vilnius and respecting its World Heritage status.  Furthermore, on 20 April 2005, a new Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage has entered into force, ensuring further protection to the cultural heritage of Lithuania. 

A number of high-rise buildings have however already been constructed opposite the Old Town of Vilnius, outside the buffer zone.  Attention has also been drawn to the wooden heritage in the construction areas where a number of historic wooden buildings are being demolished.

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

Draft Decision: 29 COM 7B.79

The World Heritage Committee,

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

2.              Noting with concern the information provided concerning the project for the construction of high-rise buildings located in the vicinity of the Old Town of Vilnius which will have a considerable visual impact on the property,

3.              Regrets the demolition of the wooden heritage located in these construction areas which although not part of the World Heritage designated area, nevertheless form part of the cultural heritage of Vilnius,

4.              Strongly urges the authorities of Lithuania to revise these projects to ensure the maintenance of the outstanding universal value and the integrity of the World Heritage property and reminds the authorities of their commitment to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention,

5.              Requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on the development projects, the overall town planning and administrative provision in place to ensure the adequate preservation of the property to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2006 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session in 2006.  

Vilnius Historic Centre
State Party:
Lithuania
Date of Inscription: 1994
Nomination records (Year): 2007, 2011, 1989
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iv)
Documents
Original Documents
WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev
Other Documents
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports
SOC Reports by year
2013
2011
2009
2008
2006
2005
Detailed List of SOC reports
Threats*
Housing
Management activities

* : 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.