Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
- Housing
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Construction of urban villas and proposed urban development scheme
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1997**
1996: joint UNESCO/ICOMOS mission
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
With regards to the construction of urban villas and a proposed urban development scheme in the immediate vicinity of the Roman amphitheatre, the Bureau at its twentieth extra-ordinary session (Merida, 1996) requested the State Party a full report concerning the entire area surrounding the amphitheatre.
The report submitted by the minister of Culture, Youth , Family and Women of the Land Rheinland-Pfalz regarding the Roman Monuments in Trier provides the following information:
The competition for the area north of the amphitheatre has been evaluated and a winner has been selected. The selected plan would permit the northern access to the theatre to be opened and maintains the green area of the 'Biergarten'. Five apartment buildings of 3 to 4 stories are foreseen in this area facing the Bergstrasse.
As to the villas east of the Bergstrasse, that were already under construction at the time of the Bureau session, the Minister informs that the building permit for these villas was given in 1995 by the Municipality of Trier and that the it no longer has the possibility to intervene.
Furthermore attached to the report, is a declaration by the Municipal Council, dated 16 December 1996, which notifies that part of the Petrisberg (a hill located adjacent to the amphitheatre) will be considered as an area for urbanisation. This decision was necessary to provide the framework for the re-development of the military basis on the Petrisberg (70 ha) that will become available in 1999.
The report has been transmitted to ICOMOS for examination.
Action Required
The Bureau may wish to examine the report and the advice of ICOMOS and make the appropriate recommendation.
21st extraordinary session of the Bureau in 1997:
As requested by the Bureau at its twenty-first session, the Minister for Culture, Youth, Family and Women of the Land Rheinland-Pfalz submitted a report on the protection and management mechanisms for the Roman Amphitheatre and its surroundings.
The report informs that the winning design of the urban competition for the area north of the amphitheatre is being realized with due consideration for a Roman water system that was discovered.
As to the buildings east of the Bergstrasse, these have been partly completed or are under construction. The Town of Trier points out that the architectural volume of buildings had already been reduced and that they are the result of a compromise to limit building surface in this area.
National heritage preservation for the area surrounding the amphitheatre is currently under discussion and the Town of Trier is analysing how further protection of the nonbuilt areas can be realized.
Considering that an ICOMOS mission was undertaken only a few days before the session, the Bureau decided to refer the examination of the state of conservation of this property to the Committee.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1997
As requested by the Bureau at its twenty-first session, the Minister for Culture, Youth, Family and Women of the Land Rheinland-Pfalz submitted a report on the protection and management mechanisms for the Roman Amphitheatre and its surroundings. The report provides the following information.
The winning design of the urban competition for the area north of the amphitheatre is being realized. This plan foresees a large public access area to the north of the amphitheatre. During the demolition of the old brewery buildings a Roman water system was discovered which runs across the northern half of the area. Discussions are currently being held between archaeological conservationists, the Land Rheinland-Pfalz, the Town of Trier and the investors to analyze how the archaeological findings can be taken into account in the building plans. A request has been made to put the Roman water system under cultural heritage protection.
Buildings east of the Bergstrasse: the buildings have been partly completed or are under construction. The Town of Trier points out that the architectural volume of buildings had already been reduced and that they are the result of a compromise to limit building surface in this area.
Surrounding area: National heritage preservation for the area surrounding the amphitheatre is currently under discussion (from the base of the rampart and including the vineyards on both sides of Bergsrasse/Sichingenstrasse). The Town of Trier is analyzing how further protection of the non-built areas can be realized.
The Town of Trier would welcome a workshop in Trier at which experts could discuss long-term development possibilities taking into account the importance of the amphitheatre.
ICOMOS will inform the Bureau during its session of the results of its mission to Trier.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 1997
The Bureau is requested to examine the report submitted by the Minister for Culture, Youth, Family and Women of the Land Rheinland-Pfalz as well as ICOMOS's report and take the appropriate action thereupon.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 BUR IV.B.40
Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen Church in Trier (Germany)
The Bureau took note of a report submitted by the Minister for Culture, Youth, Family and Women of the Land Rheinland-Pfalz regarding the Roman amphitheatre in Trier.
The Bureau noted the results of the urban competition for the zone north of the Roman amphitheatre and the selection of a project which would permit the reopening of the northern access to the arena, which had until now, been blocked by brewery constructions. The Bureau requested the City of Trier to adopt this project and to establish a legal planning instrument for its implementation.
With regard to archaeological excavations of which the report makes no mention, the Bureau learned that they were important for a better knowledge of the site which includes, other than the amphitheatre, barracks, depots and a cementery. The Bureau requested the local and Land authorities to do their utmost to allow the archaeologists to continue their work and to provide them with the means and the time necessary to accomplish their task.
As to the height of the urban villas east of the Bergstrasse, the Bureau regretted that the advice of the UNESCO-ICOMOS mission of May 1996 to reduce the height of the buildings closest to the amphitheatre had not been followed up. It considered that this will have a negative impact on the historical aspect of the amphitheatre. In this context, the Bureau noted the need for clearly established and adequately managed buffer zones. It requested the Secretariat to transmit these considerations to the German authorities with the request for a full report on the protection and management mechanisms for the monuments and their surroundings for examination by the next session of the Committee.
In conclusion, the Bureau requested ICOMOS to send another expert mission to Trier to assess the actual impact caused to the World heritage site, as well as the possible impact of the proposed urbanization of the Petrisberg east of the amphitheatre. It requested ICOMOS to report its findings to the next Committee session.
21 COM VII.C.48/46
SOC: Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen Church in Trier (Germany)
VII.48 Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen Church in Trier (Germany)
As requested by the Bureau at its twenty-first session, the Minister for Culture, Youth, Family and Women of the Land Rheinland-Pfalz submitted a report on the protection and management mechanisms for the Roman Amphitheatre and its surroundings.
The Committee took note of the report given by the Representative of ICOMOS concerning a workshop which took place in Trier on 28 November 1997 concerning the archaeological remains and current construction works in the vicinity of the Roman amphitheatre.
The Committee welcomed the initiative of the German authorities for extending the protected area to include the vineyards at the east side of the Amphitheatre.
The Committee expressed serious concerns about new adjacent constructions north of the theatre which may affect its authenticity, and urges the City of Trier to negotiate with the investors the location and density of the envisaged constructions.
The Committee expressed its interest in the results of the archaeological excavations which have revealed a part of the Roman wall and a water system. These precious remains should not be destroyed and the Committee hoped that it would be possible to revise the plan so that these remains can be harmoniously integrated. The Committee requested the State Party to submit by 15 April 1998 a report on the following issues:
- revision of the plans respecting the authenticity of the monument;
- conservation and integration of recently discovered Roman remains;
- adoption of an enlarged protective zone.
GermanyExports
* :
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.
