Kizhi Pogost

• Structural integrity issues at the Church of the Transfiguration
• Lack of an integrated management plan addressing the overall management of the World Heritage property
• Tourism development pressures including development of infrastructures 
• Interpretative and visitation facilities
• Housing
• Land conversion
• Management activities
• Management systems/ management plan
• Marine transport infrastructure

N/A

On 16 November 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, a summary of which is available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/544/documents/. Progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented in this report, as follows:

Regarding ongoing conservation of the property:

• The long-term restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration, including restoration of its interior, has been completed. Monitoring of the structure and its historic artefacts is ongoing. A design project for fire extinguishing and safety systems commenced in 2022. An interdisciplinary study of the ceiling painting of the church was undertaken to support its restoration;
• Three variants for the restoration of the Church of the Intercession were developed. The preferred variant, which will result in the maintenance of the highest percentage of authentic material, is now subject to a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) process. The HIA and details of the project will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review before implementation;
• The buildings have been assessed as being structurally stable, and comprehensive monitoring is ongoing.

Regarding planning and development of the buffer zone:

• Two plans have been completed. The first is a Master Plan titled the ‘Plan for conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site “Kizhi Pogost” and development of the Kizhi Island territory’. The second plan is titled ‘The Sustainable Development Plan for the Buffer Zone of the WHS “Kizhi Pogost” (2022-2032)’. Priority was given to local community participation during the compilation process;
• Various projects have been initiated through funding from the State Party to stimulate cooperation with local communities, including work to revive traditional local self-government in the buffer zone.

The ICOMOS Advisory mission to the property that the State Party invited in 2020 in response to Decision 43 COM 7B.89 had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2022, the State Party shared with the World Heritage Centre draft terms of reference for the mission, indicating the second quarter of 2023 as the optimal period for the mission. Following consultation with ICOMOS, the World Heritage Centre has confirmed to the State Party the availability of ICOMOS experts to undertake the mission in the second half of September 2023.

The State Party continues to make good progress in improving the state of conservation and the monitoring, conservation and management of the property and its buffer zone. The continued planning for the restoration of the Church of the Intercession is noted. The State Party’s commitment to present the completed HIA and details of the restoration project to the World Heritage Centre prior to the commencement of works, is also noted. Due to the fragility of this structure, the Committee may wish to again request the State Party to await the review of both the proposal and the impact assessment by the Advisory Bodies, before taking any final decision on the approach or technical details of the restoration.

The finalisation of the ‘Plan for conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site “Kizhi Pogost” and development of the Kizhi Island territory’ and ‘The Sustainable Development Plan for the Buffer Zone of the WHS “Kizhi Pogost” (2022-2032)’, are milestones in the sustainable conservation of the property. These plans are detailed, complete and generally appropriate. The former includes goals to preserve the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to create conditions for the sustainable development of the territory. The plan proposes the reconstruction of the historic ‘Worship Cross’ at the eastern side of the property. Recalling that reconstruction is justifiable only in exceptional circumstances and acceptable only on the basis of complete and detailed documentation and to no extent on conjecture (in accordance with Paragraph 86 of the Operational Guidelines), the Committee may wish to request further information on this proposal.

The plan also allows for the formation of new farmstead complexes in the buffer zone. It specifically proposes new dwellings and household structures, historically grounded small architectural forms, fields and vegetable gardens on the territory of the historic villages of Yamka and Vasilievo but does not provide spatial limitations on these developments. It also proposes the demolition of 20th century buildings. The Committee may thus wish to request the State Party to take a cautious approach to the removal of 20th century structures in the buffer zone, in order to avoid erasing historical layers in the development of the property’s setting. The plan notes that construction of new buildings at the entrance of Zone A (close to the property) will not proceed until agreement has been reached on its details with the World Heritage Centre.

The ‘Sustainable Development Plan for the Buffer Zone of the WHS “Kizhi Pogost” (2022-2032)’ is based on a thorough analysis of the historical, economic and social structure of Kizhi Island. It provides an extensive list of detailed actions to be undertaken and includes a list of target indicators for evaluating the implementation of the plan.

The State Party’s commitment to organise an ICOMOS Advisory mission to the property, as requested by the Committee at its 43rd session, is welcomed. At the time of the finalisation of this report, preparations for the mission are underway. The terms of reference for the mission include assessment of the various restoration, intervention and monitoring projects as well as the conservation plan for the property and the Sustainable Development Plan for the buffer zone, which includes tourism development.