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Old City of Dubrovnik

Croatia
Factors affecting the property in 1993*
  • Legal framework
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Armed conflict; Need to extend the buffer zone

International Assistance: requests for the property until 1993
Requests approved: 4 (from 1985-1992)
Total amount approved : 71,010 USD
Missions to the property until 1993**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1993

At its sixteenth session the Committee took note of the report on the state of conservation of Dubrovnik, which was included in the List of World Heritage in Danger, in Carthage in 1991. At its sixteenth session, in July 1992, the Bureau recommended that the Croatian authorities create a buffer zone which would ensure the protection of the ancient fortress and the surrounding areas. The Croatian authorities, by their letter dated 2 December 1992, transmitted a map and some notes to the Centre which described their intention to create a buffer zone for this site. The map and the notes have been transmitted to ICOMOS for review and comments.

Since the last session of the Committee, two brochures on Dubrovnik have been published, in order to publicize the plan to safeguard the Fortress as well as the Ancient City which were damaged by bombardment and to seek funds. Funds for the implementation of some specific projects have been forthcoming from private and public associations. Certain countries, such as Austria, France, Germany and Italy have shown interest in funding projects for safeguarding the Ancient City.

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1993

At its fifteenth session held in Carthage in December 1991, the Committee inscribed the Old City of Dubrovnik on the List of World Heritage in Danger. In July 1992, during the sixteenth session of the Bureau, it was recommended to the Croatian Authorities to create a buffer zone in order to ensure the protection of the ancient fortress and the surrounding areas.

At its last session, the Bureau was informed that a plan concerning the buffer zone had been prepared by the Croatian

local authorities; however, it was not yet cleared by the government. In this regard the Bureau recommended to the Croatian Authorities to extend the buffer zone and include the two fortifications outside the ramparts. It was also recommended that legislation be enforced in order to prevent the construction of high buildings along and close to the coastline which would spoil the fine view of the skyline of the old town of Dubrovnik, when approached from the sea.

The Croatian authorities, by their letter with enclosed documentation received by the Centre on 2 September 1993, requested the extension of the World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik which now has the following perimeter:

1.  the agglomeration of Pila and the plateau of Brsalje, to the west;

2.  the moat along the perimeter of the city intra-muros, to the north;

3.  the Lazarets to the east; and

4.  the island of Lokrum to the south.

Document and maps have been transmitted to ICOMOS for the necessary evaluation and a report in this regard will be presented to the Committee meeting in Cartagena, in December 1993.

With regard to the enforcement of the present legislation for the protection of the World Heritage Site, we have to report that no additional documents or information has been received.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1993
17 BUR VIII.2
Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)

At its fifteenth session held in Carthage in December 1991, the Committee inscribed the Old City of Dubrovnik on the List of World Heritage in Danger. At the sixteenth session of the Bureau in July 1992, it was recommended that the Croatian authorities create a buffer zone in order to ensure the protection of the ancient fortress and the surrounding areas.

Since the last session of the Committee, two brochures on Dubrovnik have been published in order to publicize the plan to safeguard the Fortress and the Old City, damaged by bombardment, and also with the aim of raising funds. Specific projects have been implemented with funds from private and public associations and some countries, such as Austria, France, Germany and Italy, have shown interest in providing additional financial assistance for safeguarding the Old City.

At its present session, a UNESCO consultant informed the Bureau that the Croatian local authorities had prepared and submitted to the Government a plan for the buffer zone. The two fortifications outside the border of the ramparts should be included in a future extension of the boundaries of the site. However, this plan has not yet received clearance from the Government.

ICOMOS called attention to the need to protect the two fortifications outside the ancient town and requested that construction of new buildings be avoided in the proximity. It was also proposed that legislation be enforced in order to prevent the construction of high buildings along and close to the coastline, which would spoil the best view of the skyline of the old town of Dubrovnik, when approached from the sea.

The Rapporteur expressed satisfaction with the work undertaken to date, in spite of the present difficulties and dangerous conditions in the country. Furthermore, he supported the ICOMOS propositions and requested that measures be taken to limit the use of billboards and neon signs in and around the old town.

The Bureau endorsed these recommendations and requested the World Heritage Centre to contact the Croatian authorities in order to obtain the approved extension of the boundaries of the site, for which recommendations from the Bureau should be taken into consideration.

17 COM X
SOC: The Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)

The Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)

The Secretariat recalled action undertaken by UNESCO in cooperation with Croatian specialists, and indicated that the brochures prepared jointly with national authorities proved to be an excellent promotional support. A number of safeguarding measures were taken:

  • a restoration methodology was defined;
  • training courses were organized in France and Italy for Croatian architects;
  • equipment and materials were purchased for the restoration of roofs.

These UNESCO activities, undertaken in liaison with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Dubrovnik, the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Dubrovnik and the UNESCO National Commission, should be reinforced through support under the World Heritage Fund.

At the request of the Committee at its sixteenth session, the Croatian authorities submitted a proposal for the extension of the World Heritage site. This was discussed by the Bureau at its seventeenth extraordinary session, and it was decided to defer this proposal until the Croatian authorities also submit, as requested, a proposal for a buffer zone.

No draft Decision

Report year: 1993
Croatia
Date of Inscription: 1979
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)(iv)
Danger List (dates): 1991-1998
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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