Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information.

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh

Belarus
Factors affecting the property in 2011*
  • Human resources
  • Management activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Demolition and rebuilding of the Eastern Gallery of the Complex;

b) Lack of updated management plan including policy for restoration, conservation and renewal works;

c) Insufficient number of national specialists in conservation and restoration;

d) Lack of appropriate planning measures.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2011
Requests approved: 1 (from 2003-2003)
Total amount approved : 3,522 USD
Missions to the property until 2011**

February 2010: World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2011

In its report, submitted on 31 January 2011, the State Party indicated progress on the updating of the management plan, the development of a conservation approach, the “musealisation” of the Palace and Park Ensemble, the staff increase of conservation specialists, and the protection of the town’s urban landscape.

a) Updating of the management plan

In 2010, the management plan was modified in response to the request made by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010). The changes concern the staffing of the Management Commission of the Nesvizh properties in addition to the conservation works of the Palace and Park Ensemble, on the basis of a project approved by the Ministry of Culture in March 2010. The State Party reports that the Belarusian Scientific and Methodological Council of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, and the Belarus and Poland Consultative Commission on the Preservation of History and Cultural Heritage, provided advice. In addition, the Expert group met in Nesvizh on 4 October 2010 to discuss restoration and conservation problems, issues of authenticity, and concerns related to the use of the site.

b) Development of a conservation approach

In response to the request of the Committee to develop an overall conservation plan before proposals were drawn up for the installation of heating and restoration of Corpus Christi Church, the State Party describes the research and design work that has been undertaken and notes that the planned conservation works carried out in the Church had included technical investigations of the building’s structure; geological-engineering research of the Church’s adjoining territory; drawings of the church, and photofixing of modern conditions; physical and chemical research of the building materials and painting, and the development of an investment project. A number of future conservation actions are planned, including restoration of the roof; reconstruction of the balcony; creation of graphic images of lost architectural elements; organisation of a drainage system for rainfall and reduction of groundwater intake; installation of a louvered opening in the upper reaches of the church for ventilation; and the introduction of a heating system.

c) “Musealisation” of the Palace and Park Ensemble

To enhance the authenticity of the property, the Committee encouraged the State Party to explore the possibility of reinstating documented original furnishings of the former residence of the Radziwill and original paintings from Nesvizh. Further to the 2008 approval by the Board of the Ministry of Culture of Belarus of the Plan for Musealisation of the Palace and Park Ensemble, the National History and Culture Museum-Reserve “Nesvizh” and the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, have developed a joint plan for particular artefacts through long-term deposit arrangements and joint exhibitions. Additionally, the Radziwill Family has donated a number of artworks from the Nesvizh collection to the Museum-Reserve and, since 2007, the Museum-Reserve itself has been actively acquiring artworks for the collection.

d) Increase of staff conservation specialists

The Department of Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage and Restoration was encouraged by the Committee to increase its staff of specialists in conservation, restoration and documentation. Progressive actions to do so include the preparation of a bill on the protection of the cultural heritage of Belarus that will enable the introduction of specialists into the Museum-Reserve’s staff; the introduction of a state programme to help create professional services on heritage protection; and the establishment of the Department of Scientific and Methodological Work on the Protection of History and Cultural Heritage and Restoration.

e) Protection of the town’s urban landscape

The State Party was encouraged by the Committee to adopt planning measures to protect the urban landscape of Nesvizh. The Nesvizh General Plan approved in 2007 provides special rules and restrictions on the use and development of the centre of Nesvizh and its buffer zone. The report does not provide sufficient information in order to review whether or not the authorities developed and adopted additional planning measures to the existing 2007 Nesvizh General Plan.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2011

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note the significant efforts of the State Party in the implementation of the World Heritage Committee decisions. They also took note of important government financial support allocated for the restoration of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

They note that no conservation plan for the Corpus Christi Catholic Church has been submitted as requested by the Committee, before work on the heating system was undertaken.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note that the State Party did not provide sufficient information in order to review whether or not the authorities developed and adopted additional planning measures in order to protect the urban landscape of the town of Nesvizh and prevent the construction of new buildings that could have an impact on the historic centre and the visual integrity of the property.

They encourage the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre detailed documents regarding the additional planning measures, the restoration project progress of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and any other relevant information in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2011
35 COM 7B.85
Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh (Belarus) (C 1196)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7B.78 adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Acknowledges the efforts pursued by the State Party in the implementation of the World Heritage Committee decisions and, in particular, the updating of the management plan of the property;

4. Notes the information provided on conservation work planned for the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, but reiterates its request to develop a conservation plan before further major interventions, and in particular the installation of a heating system;

5. Also reiterates its request to the State Party to adopt appropriate planning measures, in order to protect the urban landscape of the town of Nesvizh and prevent the construction of new buildings that could have an impact on the historic centre and the visual integrity of the property;

6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a progress report on the state of conservation of the property, including documents regarding the conservation plan for the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the additional planning measures and any information in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

Draft Decision: 35 COM 7B.85

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7B.78 adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Acknowledges the efforts pursued by the State Party in the implementation of the World Heritage Committee decisions and, in particular, the updating of the management plan of the property;

4. Notes the information provided on conservation work planned for the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, but reiterates its request to develop a conservation plan before further major interventions, and in particular the installation of a heating system;

5. Also reiterates its request to the State Party to adopt appropriate planning measures, in order to protect the urban landscape of the town of Nesvizh and prevent the construction of new buildings that could have an impact on the historic centre and the visual integrity of the property;

6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a progress report on the state of conservation of the property, including documents regarding the conservation plan for the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the additional planning measures and any information in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. 

Report year: 2011
Belarus
Date of Inscription: 2005
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 35COM (2011)
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.


top