Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Factors affecting the property in 2004*
- Housing
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Urban pressure
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2004
Total amount approved : 39,720 USD
| 2000 | The Church of the Savoir at Berestove (Kyiv-Pechersk ... (Approved) | 19,970 USD |
| 1998 | Equipment to preserve ancient wall paintings, ... (Approved) | 19,750 USD |
Missions to the property until 2004**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2004
The Ukrainian authorities informed the World Heritage Centre on 9 February 2004 that the Parliament had adopted the Decree on the preservation of cultural heritage in November 2003. This Decree recommends that the Government of Ukraine elaborate a draft law concerning the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Codes that envisage the penalties and sanctions against those who violate the national legislation on cultural heritage in Ukraine.
As requested by the last session of the World Heritage Committee, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 28 January 2004 outlining the measures taken by the national authorities to respond to the cracks that had been apparent on the wall of the property. The report emphasised that the formation of cracks is inevitable to a certain extent given the age of the property and its location on an uneven foundation. In order to directly respond to the damage caused by the underground swimming pool construction, a hydrological zone has been developed around the site, regulating the water flow to the foundations of the Cathedral. Technical and restoration works at the St. Sophia Cathedral were carried out as part of comprehensive conservation programme (2002-2010). The research programme also includes a geodetic and photogrammetric survey to prepare detailed maps, which will become the basis for future monitoring and documentation of the state of conservation of the property. Apart from the damage observed on the decorative elements of the central cupola of the Cathedral, the general state of conservation of the property is in good condition.
According to the report, a cafe in the vicinity ofKiev-Pechersk Lavra was constructed in order to improve the area immediately outside the World Heritage property and to respond to the needs of tourists. The authorities of Ukraine consider that it does not pose any threat to the conservation of the site. Furthermore, the Government of Ukraine has allocated 1 million hryvnias for the restoration and reconstruction of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
As the report was very brief, the World Heritage Centre requested the authorities of Ukraine by letter on 10 February 2004 to provide further information concerning the details of the comprehensive programme with its outcomes and future plan. The State Party was also requested to clarify to what extent the swimming pool had already been constructed before it was halted and what is going to happen to the construction site in the future. The State Party responded to this request by submitting an additional report including detailed maps and illustrations on 9 April 2004, which were transmitted to ICOMOS for review. The National Commission informed the World Heritage Centre on 20 April 2004 that the relevant authorities are defining the boundaries of the property.
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2004
28 COM 15B.99
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Acknowledging that the Ukrainian authorities have provided the report on the research on planned or completed conservation projects in the vicinity of the World Heritage property (Decision 27 COM 7B.80),
2. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for the progress made with regard to measures taken to respond to the damage caused by the construction of the underground swimming pool and to define the boundaries of the property;
3. Requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS informed of any future projects, which may have an impact on the property.
Draft Decision:28 COM 15B.99
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Acknowledging that the Ukrainian authorities have provided the report on the research on planned or completed conservation projects in the vicinity of the World Heritage property,
2. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for the progress made with regard to measures taken to respond to the damage caused by the construction of the underground swimming pool and to define the boundaries of the property;
3. Requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS informed of any future projects, which may have an impact on the property.
UkraineExports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
