State of Conservation (SOC)
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow (2007)
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property
Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD
Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Erection of a monument in honour of Marshal G. Zhukov
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues
The World Heritage Centre was informed by NGOs and press articles of the demolition/reconstruction of a historic complex called the "Middle Trading Rows”. On 7 March 2007, the UNESCO Office in Moscow provided further information that this complex is a five-building ensemble built from 1891 to 1894 located opposite the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower and near St. Basil’s Cathedral. The complex has been undergoing reconstruction since 2006. It is expected that the new modern ensemble consisting of a luxury hotel, an auction house, apartments, a shopping mall and underground parking will be constructed within the preserved facades. The “Middle Trading Rows” complex has been surrounded by tall metal shields for quite some time, which make it impossible to see what is going on inside.
Based on the information from the media reports four buildings inside have been already torn down. Novaya Gazeta published a picture of huge piles of rubble in the middle of the quadrangle. National experts and architects say that any underground work could result in movement of the soil underneath the Red Square and could seriously affect St Basil's Cathedral, which is already in a fragile structural state.
On 16 March 2007, the World Heritage Centre, concerned that the works undertaken may threaten the integrity of the property, requested the State Party to provide detailed information concerning the current status of these demolition and reconstruction works, as well as a detailed report on the state of conservation of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow.
At the time of the preparation of this document, the State Party had not provided the requested information.
Conclusion
Decision
31COM7B.103
Link to the decision
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 18 COM IX.20, adopted at its 18th session (Phuket, 1994), and in particular “to be kept informed on any development in this World Heritage site”;
3. Urges the State Party to halt all demolition works within the boundary of the World Heritage property of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow or its buffer zone until a detailed assessment of any threats to the outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity of this property is being carried out;
4. Requests the State Party to invite a World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM joint mission to the property to assess its state of conservation;
5. Also requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a detailed report by 1 February 2008 on the state of conservation of the property, including the information on the status and the likely impact on the authenticity and integrity of the property, of any demolition, reconstruction, and restoration works within the boundary of the World Heritage property and its buffer zone, as well as technical details concerning the structural stability of the historic buildings at the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.
Draft Decision: 31 COM 7B.103
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 18 COM IX.20, adopted at its 18th session (Phuket, 1994), and in particular “to be kept informed on any development in this World Heritage site”;
3. Urges the State Party to halt all demolition works within the boundary of the World Heritage property of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow or its buffer zone until a detailed assessment of any threats to the outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity of this property is being carried out;
4. Requests the State Party to invite a World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS joint mission to the property to assess its state of conservation;
5. Also requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a detailed report by 1 February 2008 on state of conservation of property including the information on the status and the likely impact on the authenticity and integrity of the property of any demolition, reconstruction, and restoration works within the boundary of the World Heritage property and its buffer zone as well as technical details concerning the structural stability of the historic buildings at the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
Russian FederationExports
Word File Threats*
- Housing
- Deliberate destruction of heritage
- Other Threats:
Erection of a monument in honour of Marshal G. Zhukov
Documents
WHC-07/31.COM/7BOther Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...SOC ID: 1037
* :
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.
