FLORENCE CHARTER

FLORENCE CHARTER

A document regulating the rules of maintenance, conservation, restoration and reconstruction of historic gardens adopted by the ICOMOS-ISLA International Committee for Historic Gardens in 1981 in Florence as an addendum to the Venice Charter.

Provisions of the Florence Charter apply both to small gardens and large parks seen as inalienable elements of the urban or rural environment. The Florence Charter defines the term “historic garden” as an architectural and horticultural composition of interest to the public. Its components include: its plan and topography, its vegetation, including its species, its structural and decorative features, its water, running or still. Since the Florence Charter considers vegetation to be the basic building material of the garden, the garden is referred to as a “living monument”, which has consequences for its restoration methods.  Maintenance and conservation are primarily related to vegetation: trees, shrubs, plants and flowers should be planted taking into account natural and cultural zones. The Florence Charter prohibits any activity that would have a negative impact on environmental sustainability. The document also regulates conservation practices related to architectural and decorative features, recommending respect for their matter, form and location. All protective measures, especially restoration and recreation, must be preceded by thorough scientific analyses, including archaeological analyses.

The document also defines the use of historic gardens as a space for viewing and sightseeing, taking into account the risk of destruction, degradation or degeneration. The garden is to be an oasis of peace and quiet, a space conducive to the cultivation of social relations and recreation. The Florence Charter recognises the possibility of creating recreational areas in close proximity to the garden. The document also includes regulations concerning legal protection and administration of historic gardens. It is the responsibility of the authorities to identify, inventory or secure gardens and to consult experts on these activities. The authorities are responsible for putting in place the financial resources that allow maintenance, restoration and reconstruction of the gardens. An important role in the protection of historic gardens is played by an appropriate education system and professional care of specialists: historians, architects, landscape architects, gardeners and botanists. The Florence Charter emphasises the need to promote the cultural heritage of historic gardens.

[B. F., M. S.]

Literature:

Bogdanowski, Janusz. Polskie ogrody ozdobne: historia i problemy rewaloryzacji. Warszawa: Arkady, 2000.

Majdecki, Longin. Ochrona i konserwacja zabytkowych założeń ogrodowych. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN 1993.

“International IFLA-ICOMOS Historic Gardens Charter”, access 16 April 2017. http://www.nid.pl/upload/iblock/9b1/9b13bc019894c7975620590ae56f9641.pdf.

Rylke, Jan. Wartości starych parków. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Szkoły Głównej Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego – Akademia Rolnicza, 1987.

Zachariasz, Agata. „Zabytkowe ogrody – problemy rewaloryzacji, utrzymania i zarządzania w świetle zaleceń Karty Florenckiej”. Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowego 10 (2008): 150-161.

Zalasińska, Katarzyna. Prawna ochrona zabytków nieruchomych w Polsce. Warszawa: Wolters Kluwer, 2010.