We would like to announce that ICOFORT and ICOMOS Hellenic are organizing an international conference in collaboration with ICAHM, ICORP and CIVVIH, which is going to take place from 3 to 8 April 2013. The title of the conference is “Ancient Forts: A journey from antiquity to present” and it is going to be divided into two parts: visits to ancient forts of Peloponnese, southern Greece and presentation of papers. The papers will be presented during the third and the fifth day of the conference in Nafplion (north-east Peloponnese) and in Monemvasia (south-east Peloponnese) respectively. A working meeting of Hellenic ICOMOS and four ICOMOS Committees is a real challenge.
The scope of the conference is to promote and display ancient fortifications as a particular kind of architecture, which combines many features and refers to structures that cover all historical periods. Fortifications are divided in many categories according to their chronology, their historical significance and role and their function in relation with landscape, society and touristic development. This is why any preservation or restoration approach should encompass the parameters of archaeological value, urban design, risk mitigation and confrontation, intangible heritage as well as economies.
The papers should focus on the presentation of forts or castles of all periods and encompass the description of their preservation through time. This description will cover the restoration and the conservation projects undertaken in each case and how they have contributed to the protection and the promotion of the cultural heritage. The monuments can be from any part of the world; however those papers which are going to include an analysis on the effectiveness of the restoration projects and specific suggestions will be preferred. A further group of topics will focus on proposals for methods and best practices for the management of the sites, the active participation of the local society, the proper development of their touristic and cultural exploitation and the quest for funding resources.
Finally this event will offer the participants the opportunity to visit some of the archaeological sites which are included in UNESCOS’s World Heritage List (Mycenae, Tiryns) as well as other sites which satisfy the requirements of the World Heritage Convention and can be proposed for nomination. Proposals may also be submitted for new inscriptions on the World Heritage list, especially regarding serial nominations (either transnational or transboundary). There are several ancient Greek fortifications and fortresses which constitute unique monument groups, associated with important events of the past (Turkish and Venetian Occupation, War of Independence etc) and are incorporated in the historical memory and cultural identity of the people. Some of them are outstanding examples of building and architectural ensembles and they bear exceptional testimony to civilizations which have disappeared. A number of ancient castles are incorporated in the modern urban or rural settlements (Nafplion, Nafpaktos, Monemvasia), thus forming a vivid part of contemporary life. In almost all cases authenticity of these sites is respectfully preserved; the reconstruction and restoration interventions have been conducted with original materials and were based on ancient techniques and methods, according to the regulations for state-designated heritage. In the frame of the forthcoming conference a special topic group will focus on presenting and evaluating possible nominations of such forts for the World Heritage List.
The second part of the conference includes tours in the Peloponnese. The destination sites and overnight stations have been mainly decided upon in reference to the existence of castles and fortresses in order to give the opportunity to the participants of the conference to witness for themselves the fortification history of southern Greece. The tour program has as follows (changes may happen):
April 3: Arrival of participants at Nafplion.
April 4. Visits by bus. Morning: At the prehistorical fortified cities of Mycenae and Tiryns. At Larissa, the classical castle of Argos. Evening: At the medieval fortress of Palamidi (Nafplion).
April 5: Presentation of Papers. (Nafplion).
April 6. Visits by bus. Morning: At the byzantine fortified city of Mystras. Evening: At the fortified medieval city of Monemvasia.
April 7: Presentation of Papers. (Monemvasia).
April 8: Return to Athens by bus.
We would like to kindly ask you to include this event in the website calendar for the year 2013 in order for it to be taken into consideration by other committees and councils when planning their events. A formal invitation will be distributed soon.
Please keep in mind that the dates of the conference have been selected in collaboration with Dr. Sibel Onat Hattap since ICOMOS National Committee of Turkey is planning to organize another conference concerning fortifications in April right after the one which will be conducted in Greece.
Thank you in advance,
Prof. Dr. Athanasios Nakasis
President of Hellenic ICOMOS
