Preservation of cultural monuments
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Liepaja has a rich cultural and historical heritage – lots of cultural monuments and pearls of architecture. Liepaja City Council approved financial support program for owners of cultural monuments in 2015. The aim of this program is to support and promote the preservation of cultural monuments in the public interest and to improve the quality of life for citizens in the city of Liepaja. At this moment 69 cultural monuments are financially supported, as far as possible restored.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
Liepaja has a rich cultural and historical heritage – lots of cultural monuments and pearls of architecture. There in the city are 75 cultural monuments of state protection - 34 monuments of architecture, 2 industrial monuments, 38 monuments of art and a urban building monument "Historical center of the City of Liepaja". A lot of unique and beautiful houses are build in the time period from the 17th century until the 20th century and are located in the Historical center of the City of Liepaja. Cultural monuments are one of the reasons why lots of people visit Liepaja. Liepaja City Council approved financial support program for owners of cultural monuments in the year 2015. The aim of this program is to support and promote the preservation of cultural monuments in the public interest and to improve the quality of life for citizens in the city of Liepaja. Until today from Liepaja City Council budget are supported by 69 buildings with common financial support of 850 000 EUR. It takes at lot of time and financial resources to restore historical buildings, to make the details of architecture - doors, stairs and windows - great again. The urban environment of Liepaja step by step becomes more pleasant and more attractive for citizens and visitors.
Key objectives for sustainability
Buildings of cultural monuments significance were built at different times in history – from the 17th century until the 20th century. For the City of Liepaja, it’s very important to preserve its history and culture. It requires a lot of financial resources to ensure sustainability and to give a new breath to these buildings. Support program from Liepaja City Council financially helps the owners preserve their estates. At least 25 years after project implementation the owners of cultural monuments have to ensure the preservation of material values.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Almost all buildings of cultural monuments significance are located in Liepaja city center. For citizens and also for tourists is very important to enjoy aesthetic environment. In case the owner of cultural monument have received support from Liepaja City Council, the owner have to ensure public view of cultural monument. Construction supervisor of the project have to control quality and functionality of restoration process of cultural monuments. To use materials and tools from the concrete historical time period is big challenge for restorers and makes the restoration process very fine and time consuming.
Key objectives for inclusion
Until 2015 owners of cultural monuments didn’t have support from European Union funds, state government or municipality. Owners of cultural monuments wanted to arrange their estates and Liepaja City Council decide to help the owner of cultural monuments preserve cultural heritage.
Results in relation to category
From 2015 until today 69 cultural monuments are supported from Liepaja City Council. In these 6 years are co-financed 125 projects in 3 categories - document preparation for restoration of cultural monuments (co-financing 75% but not more than 2000 EUR); restoration of the original historical windows and doors of the cultural monument building, as well as creation of decorative and functional building components or analogous (co-financing 50% but not more than 2000 EUR); construction works for restoration of cultural monuments (co-financing 75% but not more than 20 000 EUR). Owners of cultural monuments are allowed to take part in this program from year to year participating in another category.
How Citizens benefit
Increase of the quality of life for citizens of Liepaja is the main benefit of this program. It’s more pleasant to live in orderly and aesthetic environment. Cultural heritage is valued and respected from Liepaja municipality and citizens. It is very important to find a way how to preserve cultural heritage and pass it to next generations. Quality preservation of cultural monuments is a good example and source of inspiration for students of art and architecture.
Innovative character
Buildings of cultural monument significance were abandoned for many years. Now the owners of cultural monuments have a chance to give a new functionality for their estates. The innovative character of this activity is that there has never before been such a city council support to make citizens of Liepaja estates great again.
