Description
The project is based on a prerequisite that regular maintenance of immovable monuments is cheaper than their restoration. Many monument defects and damages are caused by simple neglect or inadequate maintenance. Objective of the project is the establishment of a preventive monitoring system for immovable national monuments registered in the Central Register of Monuments. The result of the project will be the establishment of 3 geographically evenly distributed groups of independent specialists monitoring monuments with adequate material, technical and organizational support which will contribute to better protection of monuments in SR due to detection of defects which could potentially evolve into severe damage. The project has a target group of monument owners and administrators in SR. The project will also provide indirect benefit for public. DPP is "Riksantikvaren - Direktoratet for Kulturminneforvaltning" - transfer of specific expertise in the field of monument protection. Exchange of expertise in the field of monument protection; best practices from implementation of the system for monument preventive protection will be acquired.
Summary of project results
Monument protection field in Slovakia has been lacking efficient ways to prevent damage and deterioration of precious sights. Prevention combined with specialised consulting and awareness-raising focused on prevention of deterioration clearly help to preserve original value of the sight. "Pro Monumenta – prevention by maintenance" was carried out by the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic which forms basis of another monument protection pillar – prevent the destruction of the monuments. The project has created a solid foundation for such a system within a state institution, which guarantees continuity. Main project activities were: 1. Establishment of 3 monitoring teams, training and courses, publication of technical manual for teams, communication with the partner. 2.Purchase of devices and equipment, furnishing administrative premises and facilitating technical tools, material and equipment. 3. Monitoring of cultural monuments, generating database of “technical reports”. 4.Cooperation with the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage – Riksantikvaren. 3 independent teams of monument inspectors were established in 3 different Slovak regions. All teams are equipped with tools necessary for diagnostics of defects on immovable property and skills needed to carry out immediate repair on sight and produce reports on current status of the monument. The inspectors provide valuable advice and consulting of continuous day-to-day care for the sight. During the project 226 technical reports were produced, 7 manuals on how to properly take care of the monument and 7 seminars on this issue were made. All the technical and organizational prerequisites for the work of these three, three-member inspection teams have been developed. All project objectives were achieved, while the main indicator - the number of inspections carried out on monuments was even exceeded by 8%.
Summary of bilateral results
The most important achievement at the bilateral level is the realistically planned transfer of the acquired know-how from Slovakia to Norway. Riksantikvaren - the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, will introduce a similar system of preventive care in the near future, especially in relation to the recently restored wooden temple. The project strengthen bilateral relations particularly at the level of organizations involved in the project. The annual visits of representatives of the Norwegian partner in the Slovak Republic following the progress of the project brought independent feedback, deprived local conditions. The joint working trip in the Netherlands has brought new impetus to the project but also to the overall cultural heritage environment in Slovakia. A visit by experts from the Slovak Republic in Norway, covered by a bilateral fund, allowed a new experience with details of the conservation system in Norway.