Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines
Factors affecting the property in 1994*
- Relative humidity
- Water (rain/water table)
- Other Threats:
Gradual degradation
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Cave-ins;
- Subsidence;
- Water seepage;
- Harmful atmospheric elements
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1994
Total amount approved : 157,350 USD
| 1994 | Purchase of the dehumidifying equipment for Wieliczka ... (Approved) | 100,000 USD |
| 1993 | Financial contribution to the organization of a seminar ... (Approved) | 12,350 USD |
| 1989 | Equipment and technical assistance needed for ... (Approved) | 45,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1994**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1994
In 1991 a study was undertaken to perform measurements and analyses within the historic part of the mine, to determine the sources of moisture, and to make recommendations for the mitigation of the threat. In the framework of this joint Polish-American initiative, a seminar was held in September 1993 in the United States of America with the participation of two Polish specialists to analyse the data collected during the study and to make recommendations for the long-term conservation of the site. A conservation strategy is now available as well as the profile of a Mine Ventilation and Dehumification Project. The cost of the necessary equipment has been estimated at US$ 156,000.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1994
At its July session, the Bureau was informed that a long-term conservation strategy had been developed, which includes a project for ventilation and dehumidification for which the purchase of equipment amounting to US$ 156,000 is anticipated.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 1994
The Committee may wish to encourage the Polish authorities to implement the long-term conservation strategy and request to be kept informed on its implementation. It is recommended that this site be retained on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1994
18 COM IX
SOC: Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)
Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)
The Committee took note of the long-term conservation strategy that had been developed for this site, which included a project for ventilation and dehumidification. The Committee encouraged the Polish authorities to implement this long-term conservation strategy and requested to be kept informed of its implementation. It decided that this site be retained on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
18 EXT.BUR V.B.2.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests for which the Bureau formulated a recommendation to the Committee - Technical cooperation
1. Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia) - US$50,000
The Bureau recommended the approval of the full requested amount of US50,000 for, inter alia, the purchase of equipment for the documentation centre; expertise for the development of a tourism development plan; promotional and educational material and activities on World Heritage in Dubrovnik.
2. Wielizska Salt Mine (Poland) - US$100,000
The Bureau recommended, after considerable debate, the approval by the Committee of this request for US$100,000 to purchase the dehumidifying equipment required for the preservation of the salt sculptures of this World Heritage Site in Danger.
3. Kathmandu Valley (Nepal) - US$52,000
The Bureau recommended approval by the Committee of the requested US$52,000 for the deployment of a UNESCO international technical advisor for 6 months in view of the serious and urgent need for strengthen measures to redress the present state of conservation of the Kathmandu Valley.
4. The Complex of the Hue Monuments (Vietnam) (Upgrading of the Hue Conservation Laboratory) - US$108,000
The Bureau recommended the approval of the amount of US$108,000 to meet the cost of laboratory equipment purchase (US$72,700) and related short-term training to enable the Hue authorities to have the basic facilities to overcome the present obstacles to conservation. The World Heritage Centre should, however, be consulted on the list of equipment, and approve the detailed specification and cost estimate, as well as the selection of the international experts.
5. Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey) (Restoration of the mosaics of Hagia-Sophia) - US$80,000
The Bureau recommended approval by the Committee of an amount of US$80,000 to complete the final phase of this restoration project.
18 BUR VI.B
Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)
During its present session, the Secretariat informed the Bureau that this site, inscribed in 1978, continued to be threatened by frequent floods. However, thanks to financial assistance from the European Union, the Polish authorities have at their disposal the necessary pumping material to maintain a satisfactory level of salubrity of the historic part of the mine.
Furthermore, Bureau members were informed that in 1991 the Polish authorities prepared a humidity-level study, and that in 1993 the data collected was examined during a seminar held in the United States, which was attended by two Polish experts, thanks to assistance from the World Heritage Fund. The seminar drew up recommendations for the long-term conservation strategy of the mine.
This strategy includes a project for ventilation and dehumidification for which the purchase of equipment amounting to US$ 156,000 is necessary. In the coming months, the Polish authorities may present a request for technical cooperation from the World Heritage Fund for partial financial support for the purchase of this equipment.
The Bureau took note of this information with satisfaction, and the World Heritage Centre will be kept informed of the different stages of this project.
18 COM XII.3
Requests for International Assistance: Technical Cooperation - Cultural heritage
The Committee noted that the Bureau in examining the ten technical cooperation requests for cultural properties, two submitted by ICCROM and eight by States Parties, gave priority to activities for properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger and to those having a catalytic affect rather than for the funding of specific restoration works, in accordance with previous decisions taken by the Committee.
Reauests approved by the Bureau:
- The Historic Town of Ouro Preto (Brazil) - US$20,000
The Bureau approved US$20,000 out of the total amount of US$50,000, subject to obtaining assurance that the balance of US$30,000 for the construction of five houses for the relocation of the affected inhabitants is funded by other sources. - ICCROM Technical Assistance - US$25,000
The Bureau approved this financial support to the ICCROM Technical Assistance Programme to supply institutions of State Parties, free of charge, with basic documentation, scientific and didactic equipment and conservation products. - Printing of Management Guidelines for World Cultural Heritage Sites, by B.M. Feilden and J. Jokilehto - US$6,900
The Bureau approved this request to support the printing cost of the French-language edition of this publication if other sources, notably of the Fra-ncophone community cannot be identified.
Requests approved by the Committee:
The Committee approved the following requests on the basis of the recommendations of the Bureau:
- Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia) - US$50,000
The Committee approved the full requested amount of US$ 50,000 for, inter alia, the purchase of equipment for the documentation centre; expertise for the development of a tourism development plan; promotional and educational material and activities on World Heritage in Dubrovnik. - Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland) - US$100,000
The Committee approved this request for US$100,000 to purchase the dehumidifying equipment required for the preservation of the salt sculptures of this World Heritage Site in Danger. - Kathmandu Valley (Nepal) - US$52,000
The Committee approved the requested US$ 52,000 for the deployment of a UNESCO international technical advisor for 6 months in view of the serious and urgent need for strengthen measures to redress the present state of conservation of the Kathmandu Valley. - The Complex of the Hue Monuments (Vietnam) - US$108,000
(Upgrading of the Hue Conservation Laboratory)
The Committee approved the amount of US$108,000 to meet the cost of laboratory equipment purchase (US$ 72,700) and related short-term training to enable the Hue authorities to have the basic facilities to overcome the present obstacles to conservation. The World Heritage Centre should, however, be consulted on the list of equipment, and approve the detailed specification and cost estimate; as well as the selection of the international experts. - Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey) - US$80,000
(Restoration of the mosaics of Hagia-Sophia)
The Committee approved an amount of $80,000 to complete the final phase of this restoration project.
Requests not approved by the Committee:
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania)
(International Conference on Ngorongoro, in Bellagio, Italy)
The Committee endorsed the Bureau's view not to approve this request although the value of the proposed international conference in Italy for the Tanzanian conservators is recognized, and in view of the fact that other funding sources are available for this Conference at the Rockefeller Foundation in Italy. - Palmyra (Syrian Arab Republic)
The Committee did not approve this request for US$90,000 but suggested that the Syrian authorities submit an alternative request to prepare a global and coherent conservation programme for this site in accordance with the recommendations of the UNESCO expert mission which took place in December 1993.
The Committee took note of the long-term conservation strategy that had been developed for this site, which included a project for ventilation and dehumidification. The Committee encouraged the Polish authorities to implement this long-term conservation strategy and requested to be kept informed on its implementation. It decided that this site be retained on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
PolandDocuments examined by the Committee
18COM (1994)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.
