Observations Concerning the Conservation of Monuments in Europe and America

Huth, Hans

The question "for what reasons are monuments classified in Europe" cannot be answered by enumerating specifically a nlunber of critcl'ia used in various European countries. No such criteria are embodi"d in law. HOI.ever, seasoned by the experience of more than a hundred years a certain general policy has been adopted, varying according to the needs of the different countries, "hich \~ill be pointed out in so far as conservation procedures are concerned. Before entering the discussion it ought to be stated that an immovable "monument" as an object of conservation is practically alwayc thought of as some kind of building of historical value, whi Ie technical structures of historical value are only gradually being accepted for conservation in increasing nu~bers. Sites of historical importanc3 "ithout visible cultural remains, or areas important for their scenic beauty or interesting from the pOint of vie" of natural history, are still more belated in finding recognition. '''hite it is impossible to study the situation country by country the only procedure seems to be to examine the major trends which determine actual methods of conservation in Europe.