The restoration of the old military Fortress, which was in a terrible state after years of decline and abandon, was an ambitious challenge and was made with the objective to stregthen and restore the ...original structures and adapt them to a new social use that would guarantee the conservation of the buildings and their natural environment. Given that the building was listed as BIC (which in Spanish stands for Building of Cultural Interest), it was necessary to adapt the project to the strict Spanish and European regulations for buildings included in the Historic Heritage List, and to integrate the new installations and services into the existing volumes, as it was impossible to add or increase any new volumes. This was a great technical challenge and an important creative exercise, which has resulted in the conversion of the old military buildings to a new civil use, without losing their architectural essence.
Buildings:
Former Use: Until 1998 it was a military fortress, which was part of the bay of Palma´s maritime defense structure
Jury Citation: “This imaginative reuse of a military building is an effective way of revitalising a challenging site which is completely respectful of the surrounding landscape”.
“The impressive private initiative which has propelled this project has ensured a soft intervention which is respectful of the building’s existing character. The restoration of this site and its successful reuse is a fine model for similar sites in Europe”.
Notes: Restauration and renovaton of an historic building
Recovery and conservation of adjoining nature and coast
Bastion of the Grand Master's Palace in Rhodes Project Leader: Directorate of Byzantine and Postbyzantine Antiquities of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Entry year: 2017
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The project focussed on the restoration and enhancement of the Bastion of the Grand Master’s Palace in the medieval town of Rhodes. This composite defensive structure extends to the north of the ...Palace complex and is surrounded by the dry moat on its three other sides.
The project aimed at the restoration of the large-scale collapse at the east side of the Bastion and the overall conservation and upgrading of the areas, once the location of the renowned “garden of the Grand Master”. Furthermore, it was intended to configure – enhance the area as a venue hosting open-air events, taking full advantage of its excellent location with captivating view. The main project was implemented by direct-labour contracts by the Ministry of Culture during 2001-2009 and 2011-2015 in the framework of respective European funding programmes (3rd CSF and NSRF). It included integral restoration of the fortification structures, landscaping of the areas of the garden and integration of reception facilities for visitors. The Bastion – Garden of the Grand Master in its new form and function has been already presented to the public since September 2015 as a venue hosting a variety of cultural events
Buildings:
Former Use: Defensive complex; worksite area with machinery for poros stone carving; storage area; electrical power supply substation
Jury Citation: “The careful archaeological research and documentation efforts have effectively recovered much that had been lost of this prominent cultural heritage site, the focal point of the medieval city of Rhodes”.
“The project has enhanced this important part of the World Heritage City of Rhodes and helped to recover the fortress’ topographical position. It has also created a new space for public activities, confirming the Palace’s status as a centre of activity in the city”.
Fort Kijkuit in Kortenhoef Project Leader: Society for preservation of nature monuments in the Netherlands Natuurmonumenten (In Dutch: Vereniging tot Behoud van Natuurmonumenten in Nederland)
Entry year: 2016
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Military heritage is widespread throughout Europe but its potential for contemporary use is not always clear and can be difficult to determine. Such buildings are often left vacant for many years and ...in need of repurposing. Fort Kijkuit represents a fresh approach to dealing with this problem. The fort, located in the province of Noord-Holland was used as a military defence building until the Second World War, when new methods of warfare soon rendered it obsolete. Before the renovation project, the building had no obvious use and its condition worsened year after year. In 2013 Natuurmonumenten, the society for the protection of natural monuments in The Netherlands, took the initiative to protect Fort Kijkuit. 2015 saw the completion of the project which repurposed the site in a variety of ways: it is now home to a new office space for Natuurmonumenten, a tourist information centre, a lookout tower and several areas for passing cyclists and hikers to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Fort Kijkuit is located in the middle of a nature reserve which has its own unique biodiversity, an element embraced by the conservation team, especially in the construction of the special lookout catering for the many visitors who come to enjoy the landscape. This is also reflected in the decision to leave the casemate unrestored and undisturbed, home to a large number of bats.
Former Use: Military defence building
Jury Citation: "This is a successful reuse of a military building which is so often a challenge to heritage and conservation professionals, setting an example for future projects in similar sites. The contemporary architecture complements the original structure perfectly by using imaginative techniques to allow daylight into what could otherwise be a very impenetrable building. These interventions do not affect the original character and are tactfully incorporated. The project has put this important UNESCO World Heritage listed building back to good use". "(...) the new restoration interacts well with the surrounding landscape and treats its situation within the nature reserve in a very fitting way. The work has also reopened this very memorable site to the public, allowing this important part of cultural heritage to be appreciated anew".
The three Lines of the Torres Vedras were a defensive system of forts and redoubts covering a total distance of some 100km, constructed during the Peninsular War. The mind behind them was ...Wellington's, who feared Napoleon's plans for General Masséna to attack Lisbon, and the management was in the hands of the British. The labour force however was Portuguese and construction was completed in minimum time (1809-1810) and with almost total secrecy. As a defence, the Lines were entirely successful, but were left abandoned for almost 200 years, until the present project. The project has entailed extensive surveys, archaeological investigations, removal of vegetation and a range of restoration systems. The military structures themselves have where possible been restored and there are numerous new interpretation centres at different points along the Lines. A complete pedestrian route has been created and six excellent self-guided walking trails have been devised. The whole project has brought a significant improvement to the management of the landscape and its future prosperity as a tourist destination.
Buildings: Histoncal Route of Lines of Torres Vedras
Former Use: Open air military structures
Jury Citation: "The Jury took several factors into consideration in this project: first, the importance of preserving this military feature for the role it played in Portuguese and European history; second, the highly successful inter-communal benefits for the various authorities involved along the route; and third, the prospect that the new walking trail will encourage a new group of people to discover the region. Also appreciated was the choice of modern architecture for the planned visitor centre, linking past with present."
Notes: This defensive military system was built by order of The Duke of Welllngton. It is composed by two lines and originally ca 152 fortifications, military head-quarters, military roads, telegraphic sign poles. It is located in the geographic arca of six different municipalities (Arruda dos Vinhos, Loures, Mafra, Sobral do Monte Agraco, Torres Vedras and Vita Franca de Xira) in the North of Lisbon, Portugal.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been protecting country since time immemorial. One way they have continued these traditions in recent times is through service in the Australian ...military, both overseas and within Australia. In Defence of Country presents a selection of life stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ex-servicemen and women who served in the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force after World War Two. In their own words, participants discuss a range of issues including why they joined up; racial discrimination; the Stolen Generations; leadership; discipline; family; war and peace; education and skills development; community advocacy; and their hopes for the future of Indigenous Australia. Individually and collectively, the life stories in this book highlight the many contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women have made, and continue to make, in defence of country.
Removal of fallen stones from the interior of the TOWER: conservation and resetting parts of the walls and specific architectural elements, such as the strong postern, the staircase leading to the ...upper floor, etc. Completion of the rehabilitation of the ADJACENT BUILDING COMPLEX and other structures of later times in the traditional manner and only with old and new local materials. Arrangement of the entrance, protection and incorporation of the newly uncovered ancient building remains. Construction of a dry stone enclosure wall for the setting of the metal fence, adapted to the natural environment, the completely unaltered rural landscape. Presentation and enhancement of the archaeological site.
Former Use: Defensive tower
Jury Citation: The project has been awarded for the exemplary restoration and presentation of a unique archaeological site, with centuries-long rural use situated in an unaltered natural landscape on the Cycladic island of Amorgos. The anastelosis of the tower and the rehabilitation of the adjacent rural structures, carried out with traditional materials and techniques by local masons and craftsmen, and the enhancement and display of the whole site contributes to the recovery of an image of the diachronic rural life in the Mediterranean European zone from antiquity to the present day.
Notes: Type also: group of buildings; cultural landscapes; archeological sites; rural setting
The essential restoration of the decaying town walls of 's Hertogenbosch has been taken as an opportunity for new development. Essentially this concerns the improvement of the entire historic 'town ...edge zone'. The repair and maintenance of the fortifications was not a goal on its own in this context, but led to the creation of a plan with a coherent vision about involving the opportunities, the repair of the monumental infrastructure offers with regard to cultural-historical meaning, the experience qualities, the experiential value and natural values.
Former Use: Fortifications
Jury Citation: "The jury was highly impressed by the complexity of the project, to restore the decaying town walls and their role of as a water barrier. And in so doing make the fortification walls more visible for the inhabitants through a new passage, made in the traditional way through the walls, an information center was built around the excavated turret and older parts of the walls. The project was exemplary prepared with historical, archeological, technical and ecological research. The jury, find the resulting exemplary and the results inspire a sequel.2
Notes: Type also: group of buildings; cultural landscapes; historic parks and gardens; archeological sites; urban setting
Complete consolidation of the bishop's palace including all structural elements and architectural features; public access improvement works
Former Use: Fortified Episcopal Palace
Jury Citation: The ...jury was impressed with the range and depth of the conservation skills and techniques employed by CADW at this unique site, including new discreet routes for those with disability, thus guaranteeing its future for the education and enlightenment of generations to come.
Notes: Type also: archeoogical sites; urban setting; rural setting
The monumental Mycenaean citadel at Aghios Andreas is the first organized visitable archaeological site on the island of Siphnos. The strongly fortified citadel, founded in the thirteenth century BC ...in a dominant and strategic position, is located at the top of Aghios Andreas hill. The fortification is a particularly sophisticated and complex system of defensive architecture, a work of inspired engineers and so far unique in the prehistoric Aegean. Excavations in 1898 and 1970-1980 brought to light parts of the wall and some buildings. In the late 1990s the site reverted into woodland and the ancient ruins were barely discernible. In the course of the project, the greater part of the citadel was uncovered, both the Mycenaean wall and the dense urban tissue with the large sanctuary, buildings, streets, as well as an abundance of moveable finds. The final objective of the project was to create a fully organized archaeological site with works for the protection and enhancement of the antiquities, and infrastructure for visitors: fencing and entrances, guardhouses, consolidation of ruins, exhibition room, visitor paths, access for handicapped people, with information panels and places to rest, water supply, electricity supply, fire protection, WC, etc. The aforementioned constructions and interventions were designed and executed in harmony with the hill's natural environment, particularly the vegetation (dense scrub of a species of low cedar).
Former Use: Citadel
Jury Citation: "The archaeological conservation project at Aghios Andreas has been awarded as an excellent example of display and enhancement of archaeological remains, fully excavated but neglected and incomprehensible to the visitor. Through the implementation of the project a well-organized archaeological site has been created, with antiquities well preserved and accessible to the wider public. The site provides valuable information on the life, beliefs and activities of the inhabitants of an important settlement of the Aegean Sea, one of the cradles of European civilization, during the Mycenaean (13th-11th c.BC) and the successive Geometric and Archaic (8th-6th c.BC) periods."
The fortifications of Pamplona, built between the XVI and XVIII centuries, represent one of Europe's best conserved bastion enclosures. Their decline began in the XIX century, due to their ...ineffectiveness in the face of progress in the field of artillery and large-scale demographic growth, which called for an extension of the urban grid. The demolishment of part of the city walls, from 1915 to 1921, was celebrated as a major event in Pamplona. Since 2006, the City Council has been promoting an important plan of action to recover the entire fortified enclosure and improve the area surrounding it. The Pamplona city walls, once a defensive barrier, are now a recreational area and a place where cultural and environmental heritage come together.
The plan is based on three major axes. Firstly, it is aimed at performing the specific conservation and restoration work the structure itself requires. Secondly, it is aimed at functionally improving the environs in fields such as housing, facilities, public areas and mobility-accessibility. And thirdly, it is aimed at vitalising the walled enclosure itself in order to disseminate its historical and architectural values.
Former Use: Fortification, citadel
Jury Citation: "The Jury was impressed by the restoration of the fortifications of Pamplona, one of Europe’s best conserved bastioned enclosures and citadels. Since 2006 the municipal government promoted an important plan of action for recovering the entire fortification enclosure, opening it to the public and improving the surrounding area as a recreational site where cultural and natural heritage come together. The restored fortifications are no longer only a defensive wall, but have been transformed into a meeting place and a symbol of unity for the citizens and for the town itself."
Notes: Public Choice Award
