Ochrona zabytkowych założeń zieleni we Wrocławiu. Prace inwestycyjno-remontowe w parku Szczytnickim w okresie 2000–2018

Szymon Rozalski

doi:10.37190/arc220111

Streszczenie

Park Szczytnicki jest najstarszym i największym parkiem publicznym we Wrocławiu. Założenie o powierzchni ponad 100 ha charakteryzuje się wieloczęściową, zróżnicowaną kompozycją wynikającą z wielofazowego, trwającego ponad 200 lat procesu przemian. Tematem artykułu jest ochrona zabytkowych założeń zieleni na przykładzie prac inwestycyjno-remontowych zrealizowanych w parku Szczytnickim w latach 2000–2018. Autor przyjął hipotezę, że działania z tego okresu miały charakter głównie konserwatorsko-interwencyjny. W celu jej weryfikacji przeprowadził inwentaryzację 45 reprezentatywnych prac, bazując w swoich studiach na analizach terenowych, bibliograficznych, ikonograficznych, przede wszystkim jednak sięgając do materiałów źródłowych zgromadzonych w Zarządzie Zieleni Miejskiej we Wrocławiu. Prace te zostały opisane z perspektywy badacza-praktyka, który od wielu lat jest kierownikiem projektu w Zarządzie Zieleni Miejskiej. Artykuł z jednej strony syntezuje dane przedstawione w opracowaniach na temat parku, z drugiej poszerza wiedzę na temat najnowszych realizacji dotychczas nieprzedstawianych w literaturze przedmiotu.

Podgląd pełnego artykułu jest możliwy wyłącznie na większych ekranach.

2022

1(69)

DOI: 10.37190/arc220111

Szymon Rozalski*

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław.

Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park

in the years 2000–2018

Introduction

Szczytnicki Park is the oldest and the largest public

park in Wrocław. The assumption with an area of over

100 ha is characterized by a multi-part, diverse composi-

tion resulting from a multi-phase transformation process,

which lasted over 200 years [1, p. 275]. The beginnings of

the park date back to the 18

century, when the garden of

Prince Frederick Louis von Hohenlohe was made avail-

able to the citizens of Wrocław, becoming a popular place

for recreation. The garden, devastated during the Napole-

onic wars, was tidied up in the middle of the 19

century

and transformed into a city park. At the turn of the 19

and 20

centuries, its area was successively enlarged by

including adjacent areas. In its present southern part, there

was a horse racing track surrounded by walking areas. The

present-day appearance is due to the events of the early

century. After 1906, the area was transformed into an

exhibition area based on Hans Poelzig’s concept. On the

occasion of the Centennial Exhibition held in 1913, an ex-

hibition hall designed by Max Berg (now the Centennial

Hall), the Four Domes Pavilion and a modern park com-

position with a semicircular pond surrounded by a pergola

were built. Around it an exposition of thematic gardens

was arranged, of which the Japanese Garden is a remnant.

After the end of exhibition the composition of the south-

ern part of park was subject to further modications – on

the occasion of the Housing and Workplace Exhibition

(WUWA) in 1929 and the Exhibition of Regained Terri-

tories in 1948. In 2009 a new congress center was built

next to the Centennial Hall and a multimedia fountain was

inaugurated [2, p. 43] (Fig. 1). The park’s development

over many years made it a complex with a rich design,

complemented by numerous objects of garden art, water

and drainage system, and a diverse vegetation with valu-

able collections of dendrooric [1], [3]. Nearly 470 taxa

of trees and shrubs were found in the park, among which,

apart from species characteristic for the Silesian ora,

plants from Asia and North America can be found, and

about 70 of them can be regarded as dendrological curios-

ities [1, p. 285].

The park is located in the eastern part of the city in the

area of the so-called Great Island, bounded by the waters

of the Urban Oder River to the south, the Old Oder River

to the west, and the ood and navigable channels to the

north [4, p. 105]. Its main parts are limited by the following

streets: Wróblewski, Dembowski, 8 Maja, Różycki, Ban-

ach and Mickiewicz, which divides the complex into two

parts – northern and southern [3, p. 80]. There are many

tourist related to the park complex. Among the most im-

portant are: Centennial Hall, the Four Domes Pavilion with

the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Spire commemo-

rating the Exhibition of the Recovered Territories, the Zo-

ological Garden with the Afrykarium, the Japanese Gar-

den, the multimedia fountain, the WUWA housing estate,

the CeTa Audiovisual Technology Centre or the Olympic

Stadium. The Great Island with all its facilities and plenty

of greenery is a unique place in Poland and Europe [5].

The Japanese Garden located within the park is the only

facility of its kind and size in Poland [2, p. 43]. Accessibil-

ity from the city center is provided by bridges: Szczytnicki

and Zwierzyniecki. In 2021, in the vicinity of the park, the

construction of the Great Island Avenue began. The aim of

this task is to unblock the communication system from the

city center and to improve the access to the eastern part

of the city located on the Great Island, which is a place of

numerous events, as well as a popular tourist destination.

* ORCID: 0000-0001-5593-7835. Municipal Greenery Board, Wro-

cław, Poland, e-mail: szymon.rozalski@op.pl

Published in open access. CC BY NC ND license

130 Szymon Rozalski

Wrocław universities and companies respon sible for the

current maintenance of the park [13, pp. 53–60], [14,

pp. 297, 298]. Planning studies, including suggestions for

the park restoration strategy, greenery management, re-

search and studies for the Szczytnicki Natural Landscape

Complex and undertakings in the area of the Centennial

Hall were carried out by the Department of Environmen-

tal Management at the Faculty of Architecture, Wrocław

University of Technology under the super

vision of A. Dra -

pella-Hermansdorfer [15]–[17]. Research on high green-

ery, valuable natural objects, as well as on the absorption

capacity of the area was conducted by scientists from Wro-

cław University of Life Sciences, among others by P. Reda

and E. Szopińska [18]. Particular park assumptions were

described in monographs (e.g., Japanese Garden [3, pp. 84,

104], [14, pp. 297, 298], [19]) or in professional magazines

(e.g., works realized in a part of former exhibition gardens

by Pergola and Four Domes Pavilion [2, pp. 42–45]). Bro-

chures documenting the history and completed works were

also written for individual park objects (e.g., the church of

St. John of Nepomuk [20]) and monuments (e.g., Diana

monument [21]). In recent years there were also published

papers related to the socially polarizing topic of the con-

struction of the Wrocław inner city ring road, the planned

route of which is adjacent to the park (e.g., [22]).

Objectives of the study

The subject of this paper are activities related to the

protection of historical greenery area discussed on the ex-

ample of investment and renovation works implemented

in Szczytnicki Park in 2000–2018

. The author assumed

The description excludes routine tasks carried out in green areas

(i.e., annual maintenance of greenery, maintenance of infrastructure:

lighting, fountains, small architecture, inspections of playgrounds, etc.)

– tasks that did not have a strategic impact on the overall nature of in-

vestment works in Szczytnicki Park from the period 2000–2018.

The road section at the level of the park has been planned

in the vicinity of 8 Maja Street [6, p. 570].

State of research

There are many analytical studies on the historic green-

ery of Wrocław. These include various types of historical

searches, historical-urban studies, conservation programs

for sculptures and garden art, studies and analyses of ora.

Many prominent specialists have dealt with these issues,

e.g., K. Eysymontt, Z. Bandurska, G. Grajewski, J. Il kosz,

I. Bińkowska, J. Urbanik, M. Jagiełło, W. Brzezowski, M. Mu-

larczyk, E. Szopińska, and others [7]. In the 1990s, the num -

ber

of historical searches for green areas increased

signi-

cantly, which indicated broad source preparation for later

studies and conservation works

. Historical studies were

also developed for Szczytnicki Park [9], [10]. The history

and development of the park have been described in detail

in numerous publications. Among monographs it is possi-

ble to mention papers: Natura i miasto – publiczna zieleń

miejska we Wrocławiu od schyłku XVIII do początku XX

wieku [Nature and the city – public urban greenery in

Wrocław from the end of the 18

century to the beginning

of the 20

century] by I. Bińkowska and Parki i ogro-

dy Wrocławia [Parks and Gardens of Wrocław] by L.

Chudzyński and R. Wieczorek [11], [3]. A breakthrough

publication was Leksykon zieleni Wrocławia [Lexicon of

Wrocław greenery] by I. Bińkowska and E. Szopińska [1].

Studies on water management and soil retention in Szczyt-

nicki Park were carried out by the Wrocław University of

Life Sciences [4], [12]. The inuence of ood in July 1997

on park vegetation was documented by the employees of

The period of intensive development of searches for green space

areas occurred in the 1990s (between 1990 and 1999, 24 searches were

commissioned and developed; between 2000 and 2018, 11 searches;

2 searches were developed before 1990) [7], [8, p. 21].

Fig. 1. Multimedia fountain by the Centennial Hall:

a) view towards Pergola and Szczytnicki Park, b) view towards the Wrocław Congress Centre, the Spire, the Four Domes Pavilion

(photo by S. Rozalski, 2009)

Il. 1. Fontanna multimedialna przy Hali Stulecia:

a) widok w stronę Pergoli i parku Szczytnickiego, b) widok na Wrocławskie Centrum Kongresowe, Iglicę, Pawilon Czterech Kopuł

(fot. S. Rozalski, 2009)

a b

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław. Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park in the years 2000–2018 131

a hypothesis that the activities of this period were mainly

of conservation and intervention nature. For the verica-

tion of this hypothesis, the author made an inventory of

45 representative works, basing his studies on eld, bib-

liographical and iconographic analyses, but above all, re-

ferring to source materials collected by the Management

of the Municipal Greenspace Authority

. Therefore, the

study is both documentary and knowledge-organizing.

The experiences are described from the perspective of

both the researcher and the practitioner, who has been

a project manager at the Management of the Municipal

Greenspace Authority for many years. More extensive re-

search on the discussed issues was presented by the author

of this paper in his PhD thesis defended at the Faculty of

Architecture, Wrocław University of Technology [8].

Legal conditioning and the city policy

on green space before and after 1989

Since the 1990s, an increase in the intensity of works

in historical green areas has been observed in Wrocław [8,

p. 166]. This was due to many reasons. Catching up with

the backlog of the previous decades had a great impact.

Among the most important factors causing the previous

delays were: lack of funds and materials after the World

War II, primacy of basic needs (housing, transportation,

and services) over greenery investments, lack of proper

preparation and professional experience of new managers,

as well as permanent underinvestment in greenery works

[1, p. 84 ], [25, p. 42], [26, pp. 67, 68]. The intensica-

tion of works was also signicantly aected by events on

the national and international arena, such as the political

transformation after 1989, the appointment of local au-

thorities, updates of legal acts in the eld of construc-

tion, nature protection, monuments, and urban planning

[8, p. 133]. Not without signicance was the adoption

by Wrocław in 1998 of the Zasady polityki ekologicznej

[Principles of Ecological Policy] [27]. At the end of the

1990s, preparations for the introduction of the Natura

2000 network began in Poland. In Europe, the European

Landscape Convention was signed in 2000 [28]

According to the postulates of the European Landscape

Convention, the priority of public authorities’ activities in

the eld of landscape should be given to tasks related to its

protection [28]. With regard to the greenery, the protection

may consist in conservation of historical sites. On the oth-

er hand, it may involve securing natural landscapes that

strengthen the urban green system. This paper concerns

The Management of the Municipal Greenspace Authority was es-

tablished in 2000 in order to improve the quality and standard of green

areas for residents and the environment. It was separated from the struc-

ture of the Municipal Oce of Wrocław in relation to changes in the

political system, transformation after local government reform, as well

as growing demand in this area. In 2010, the Management of the Munic-

ipal Greenspace Authority managed approximately 7.000 ha of land in

Wrocław, which constituted approximately 24% of the city area [23], [24].

The European Landscape Convention (Florence, 20.10.2000),

signed by the Member States of the Council of Europe in 2004, in Po-

land came into force in 2005. The document is a declaration of landscape

management for the benet of the people and the world [28].

mainly the conservation issues. This is because such an

approach dominated the steps taken by the Management

of the Municipal Greenspace Authority. Activities such as

restoration or reconstruction [8, p. 56] prevailed here.

Spatial activities undertaken by the Wrocław City

Hallare regulated by a number of local documents. After

2000, there is a certain logic and consistency in the initia-

tives of local authorities focused on creating the so-called

“classy places”, which are of high functional and com-

positional quality

[29], [30] (Fig. 1). This was reected

in the concentration of activities in specic parts of the

city. In the spatial layout of Wrocław the works in green-

ery assumptions were carried out in such areas as Market

Square, Ostrów Tumski, the Centennial Hall complex and

Szczytnicki Park, which were connected by the devel-

oped passage of Grunwaldzka Axis

(Fig. 2). An indepen-

dent part was the South Park aspiring to the name of the

Wrocław Baths. High importance was also attached to the

restoration of housing estates. As a part of these process-

es, local authorities strived to restore the historical form

of many parks. Denitely most works were carried out in

areas of historical and cultural value. The focus was on

historic buildings due to the deteriorating state of preser-

vation, damage, and exploitation of many of them, which

were most in need of intervention and protection. The

works in these areas contributed to their reinforcement

as a result of introduction of subsequent forms of legal

protection (e.g., recognition of the Centennial Hall com-

plex and its park surroundings as a historical monument in

2005) and appreciation of the exceptional universal value

of this area through its inscription on the UNESCO World

Heritage List (2006) [8]. These processes – as mentioned

– were facilitated by the political and economic transfor-

mations, as well as the growing awareness of the city’s

hosts [8, pp. 56, 127, 164].

Szczytnicki Park is currently under multidimensional

legal protection. By successive resolutions of the Wrocław

City Council (1997–1999), the Szczytnicki Natural Land-

scape Complex (SZPK) was created. The basis for this

was a planning Studium granic Szczytnickiego Zespołu

Przyrodniczo-Krajobrazowego [study on the borders of

Szczyt nicki Natural Landscape Complex] (1995)

[34,

It refers to programs, policies and strategies implemented by the

Wrocław City Hall, such as Strategia-Wrocław 2000 Plus, [Wrocław

2000 Plus Strategy], Założenia polityki społeczno-gospodarczej na lata

2000–2005 [Assumptions of Socio-Economic Policy for 2000–2005],

Studium uwarunkowań i kierunków zagospodarowana przestrzennego

[Conditions and Directions of Spatial Development], Lokalny program

rewitalizacji [Local Revitalization Program], Gminny program opieki

nad zabytkami [Municipal Historic Preservation Program] and other lo-

cal documents [29]–[31].

“Classy places” were to exert a strong inuence on the surround-

ings and the entire city, serving as a model and inspiration. In addition

to the poles of high attractiveness mentioned in the text, the others were

to include Świdnicka Street and the square in front of the Central Rail-

way Station. It was assumed that the poles would be connected by a se-

ries of high-quality areas, including streets, promenades and boulevards

[29], [30].

The area to be protected was dened by Uchwała Nr XV/483/99

Rady Miejskiej Wrocławia z dnia 9 grudnia 1999 r. [Resolution No. XV/

483/99 of the Wrocław City Council of December 9, 1999] [33].

132 Szymon Rozalski

pp. 108, 109], [35, pp. 132–148]. A strong support for later

works within SZPK was Ustawa o ochronie przyrody [Act

on Nature Protection] of 2004, which allowed for com-

prehensive protection of one of the most valuable areas

of the city in terms of nature and culture, which included:

Szczytnicki Park with the Japanese Garden, the Centen-

nial Hall complex and the Olympic Stadium, the Morskie

Oko bathing site and the Municipal Zoological Garden, as

well as modernist garden estates with promenades along

the Oder River [36]. Subsequently, due to the obligatory

requirement of Ustawa o zagospodarowaniu przestrzen-

nym [Spatial Development Act], all attention and consid-

erable nancial resources of the city were focused on the

local spatial development plans developed for SZPK [37],

[34, pp. 108, 109], [35]. The conservation protection of

the park is further ensured by a number of legal regula-

tions, i.e. entry in the register of monuments, an archaeo-

logical protection zone in local plans, as well as recogni-

tion of its fragments as a monument of history (2005) and

inclusion in the protection zone of the UNESCO World

Heritage Site of Outstanding Universal Value with its

buer zone (2006) [38], [39], [2]. At the level of local

planning and operational documents, the park protection

postulates have been reected in many studies, includ-

ing: Conditions and Directions of Spatial Development,

Wrocław Spatial Development Study, Municipal Monu-

ments Care Programme, Local Revitalization Programme

of Wrocław, Assumptions of Socio-Economic Policy and

others [29], [31]. Each of the studies postulated conserva-

tion activities in the area of historic greenery.

Investment and renovation works

in Szczytnicki Park in 2000–2018

In Wrocław, for many years a systematic restoration and

ongoing maintenance of historic green areas has been car-

ried out by replacing or repairing the surface of communi-

cation systems, maintenance of garden architecture

(bridg-

es, arbours, sculptures), renovation of buildings, tech

nical

infrastructure, replacement of elements of small architec-

ture or supplementing planting. Evidence of good source

preparation and protection of greenery areas are resto-

rations in 2000–2018, among which the following can be

mentioned: South Park, Old Town Garden, sections of the

Old Town Promenade, square in St. Matthew’s Square and

many other implementations [7], [31], [40, p. 801].

The most valuable, but also the most demanding in

terms of conservation protection, greenery in Wrocław is

Szczytnicki Park, in which restoration works have been

continuously carried out for decades

[7]. On the basis

of data obtained from the Management of the Municipal

Greenspace Authority, conducted literature studies and

own research, the author has arranged chronologically

and topographically the most important works in Szczyt-

nicki Park implemented since the 1990s until 2018. The

list of activities is presented in the table and graphically

For ease of reference, this paper divides the park into eight sec-

tors (I to VIII), according to the nomenclature used in industry publi-

cations and the nomenclature used by the facility manager [7] (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2. The most important areas of greenery works in the years 2000–2010 in Wrocław, including the area of Szczytnicki Park.

These areas coincide with areas of high historical and cultural value, the so-called classy places, as well as Grunwaldzki Square,

which is the largest academic center of Wrocław (source: [32], elaborated by S. Rozalski)

Il. 2. Najważniejsze obszary prac w założeniach zieleni w latach 2000–2010 we Wrocławiu, w tym rejon parku Szczytnickiego.

Obszary te pokrywają się z rejonami o wysokiej wartości historycznej, kulturowej,

tzw. miejscami z klasą, jak również pl. Grunwaldzkim, który jest największym wrocławskim centrum akademickim

(źródło podkładu: [32], oprac. S. Rozalski)

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław. Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park in the years 2000–2018 133

on the map (Fig. 3, Table 1) [8]. The importance of this

greenery assumption can be evidenced by the fact that the

investment task “Revitalization of Szczytnicki Park” from

the beginning of the 21

century appeared in various city

Fig. 3. Major works in sectors of

Szczytnicki Park in 1995–2018

(source: [32],

elaborated by S. Rozalski)

Il. 3. Najważniejsze prace

w sektorach parku Szczytnickiego

w latach 1995–2018

(źródło podkładu: [32],

oprac. S. Rozalski)

Table 1. Chronology of the most important works in Szczytnicki Park in 1995–2018 (elaborated by S. Rozalski)

Tabela 1. Chronologia najważniejszych prac w parku Szczytnickim w latach 1995–2018 (oprac. S. Rozalski)

Marking on

the map

Year Most important works in Szczytnicki Park Sector

1995–1999

A 1995 restoration of “różanka” in sector VII VII

B 1995 reconstruction of the monument of Friedrich von Schiller in sector V V

1996–1997

1999

restoration of the Japanese Garden in sector II;

renovation of the Japanese Garden after the July 1997 flood

D 1996–1997

restoration and development of the ornamental “plunge pool” in sector VII destroyed after

the July 1997 flood

VII

E 1996–1997 new playground complex at Różycki Avenue in sector VIII VIII

F 1997

revitalization of the contemporary garden located at Mickiewicza Street

(the foundation is located outside the park sectors, outside the historical monument boundary,

and within the UNESCO buffer zone)

–

programs (long-term investment plan, assumptions of so-

cio-economic policy) and other documents that form the

basis for operational activities of the Wrocław City Hall

[7], [29].

134 Szymon Rozalski

Marking on

the map

Year Most important works in Szczytnicki Park Sector

G 1997 construction of a playground in the center of the northern part of the park in sector VI VI

H 1998 restoration of the park vegetation after the flood in 1997 –

2001–2018

1 2001 renovation of paths in sector VII VII

2 2002 renovation of paths in sector VI VI

3 2003

renovation of a section of Dąbska Avenue with construction

of parking spaces for people with disabilities

no data

available

2015–2016

renovation of park alleys in sector I

reconstruction of the Diana monument in sector I

2005

2008–2011

2008–2009

2010

2011

renovation of park lighting around Pergola at the Centennial Hall

renovation of small architecture around Pergola

renovation of the Pergola structure along with protection of vegetation growing on Pergola

construction of a multimedia fountain – project entitled: “Rebuilding the water basin

located at the Centennial Hall in Wrocław for a multimedia fountain”

construction of video surveillance system in Pergola and its surroundings

renovation of pavement, full renovation of lawns, planting dwarf trees within Pergola

and multimedia fountain

2006

2008–2009

2011

securing ivy plantings at Dąbska Avenue

maintenance of the water reservoir between Kopernika and Mickiewicza streets in sector II

renovation of the bridge located in sector II of the park by the Japanese Garden renovation

of the bridge on “Black Water” at Czackiego Street

7 2008–2009

renovation of alleys with the construction of lighting and landscaping elements in sector VIII;

connection for park lighting

VIII

8 2008 establishment of a cherry orchard in sector V V

2006–2008

2009

2011

2015–2016

renovation of bridges concerning regulation of water relations, repairs of watercourses

and reservoirs, modernization of the watercourse in the Japanese Garden

renovation of wooden bridge in the Japanese Garden

renovation of pavilion and gazebo roofing, maintenance of small architecture in the Japanese Garden

renovation of wooden marina in the Japanese Garden

renovation of the Taiko Bashi arch bridge and garden architecture

(gazebo, tea house, wooden gates, fencing, terraces and other elements of small architecture) in

the Japanese Garden

10 2010 renovation of historic fence at Różycki Street –

11 2011 reconstruction of playground in sector VIII of the park at Chopina Street VII

12 2013 renovation of historic municipal toilet at Różycki Avenue VI

2014

2015–2016

2017–2018

renovation of the church roof

renovation of the church tower walls

comprehensive revitalization of the remaining part of the church with development

of the immediate surroundings

III

14 2014 renovation of garden pavilion (gloriette) in sector VII along with the access road VII

15 2015–2016 renovation of the Frederick II Column in sector VII VII

2011

2017–2018

construction of power connection for lighting the park section between Mickiewicza, Kopernika

and Wystawowa streets and power supply to the Japanese Garden

restoration of a part of Szczytnicki Park (I stage)

(area between Pergola, Japanese Garden, Mickiewicza Street and Four Domes Pavilion with

a fragment of paths by the Japanese Garden)

Table 1 cont. Chronology of the most important works in Szczytnicki Park in 1995–2018 (elaborated by S. Rozalski)

Tabela 1 cd. Chronologia najważniejszych prac w parku Szczytnickim w latach 1995–2018 (oprac. S. Rozalski)

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław. Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park in the years 2000–2018 135

Works in the park covered many areas and varied in

scale and frequency. They usually concerned several activi-

ties simultaneously. The simplest thematic classication al-

lows to group the works according to the scope concerning:

1) current maintenance and upkeep of park greenery

(care, replenishment of plantings, tree stand management)

and ensuring cleanliness and order,

2) creation of large attractions attracting tourists and

business (i.e., construction of a multimedia fountain, mo-

der nization and expansion of the restaurant with confer-

ence facilities),

3) restoration and renovation of single, recognizable

monuments (i.e., St. John of Nepomuk Church, the column

of Frederick Wilhelm II, reconstruction of Diana’s monu-

ment, etc.),

cultivation of green areas which are very popular

among tourists (i.e., Japanese Garden, surroundings of the

Centennial Hall),

5) renovation of technical facilities (i.e., public toilets

at Różycki Avenue, Pergola structure, bridges),

6) renovation of park infrastructure (paths, squares,

lighting, small architecture),

7) renovation of elements of the water and drainage

system (maintenance of watercourses, reservoirs, strength -

en ing of the coastline),

8) celebration of diplomatic relations (i.e., establishment

of a cherry orchard in Sector V – to celebrate the 50

anni-

versary of cooperation between Poland and Japan) [7], [8].

The list of undertaken activities presented in the table is

of documentary nature, ordering chronologically and spa-

tially the works in particular sectors of Szczytnicki Park.

The subject of works carried out, motives of decisions

made, accepted design solutions, course of conservation

works, functional signicance of the object, exploitation

and maintenance seem to be so varied and extensive that

most of the tasks could become and often have become

the subject of separate papers [2], [13], [14], [19], [20],

[21]. For example, the works in wooden church of St.

John of Nepomuk were carried out in stages at dierent

times for almost 4 years (Fig. 4a, b). During that time, the

roof covering, church tower, walls, interior, and the imme-

diate surroundings were repaired.

Over the years, the Management of the Municipal

Greenspace Authority has focused much attention and -

nancial resources on Szczytnicki Park and the surround-

ings of the Centennial Hall. In the years 2008–2018, ap-

proximately PLN 20 million was allocated for investment

and renovation works. The most costly tasks include: reno-

vation of Pergola at the Centennial Hall (PLN 7.1 million),

restoration of part of the former exhibition grounds near

Pergola (PLN 4 million), renovation of wooden church

(PLN 2.3 million) or renovation of the historic toilets at

Różycki Street (PLN 1 million). Due to the large size of

the park and the saturation with garden art objects the ac-

tions require considerable nancial outlays, hence the res-

toration works are carried out in stages in particular sectors

over a longer time perspective. It is noteworthy that select-

ed projects located in the area included in the UNESCO

World Heritage List were carried out comprehensively.

Subsequent investment and renovation initiatives are sys-

tematically submitted for implementation within the so-

called Investment Project Charters and the demand for

nancial resources in the Wrocław City Hall [7], [8].

A cross-sectional analysis of works shows that over the

years there has been no comprehensive undertaking of ac-

tions for entire sectors, no clear vision for the selection of

priority areas (the order of proposed investments) and no

procedure for the preparation of project concepts for frag-

ments that have not yet been developed

. While observ-

ing these activities from a distance it can be argued that

they were more interventionist than rationally planned.

However, it should be noted that the area and saturation

of the park with attractions required considerable nancial

ver the years many design concepts have been developed, such as

the programmatic and spatial concept of the Chinese Garden, the concept

of the World Gardens in Szczytnicki Park, the reconstruction of the School

Botanical Garden, and others. Most of the above mentioned projects have

not been implemented. The exception was the development of a part of the

former exhibition grounds by the Pergola implemented in 2017–2018 [7].

Fig. 4. Wrocław, St. John of Nepomuk Church in Szczytnicki Park: a) before renovation in 2009, b) after renovation in 2018 (photo by S. Rozalski)

Il. 4. Wrocław, kościółek pw. św. Jana Nepomucena w parku Szczytnickim: a) przed remontem w 2009 r., b) po remoncie w 2018 r. (fot. S. Rozalski)

a b

136 Szymon Rozalski

resources that were usually lacking in the city budget pri-

orities [8]. In the period 2000–2010 it was a good practice

to commission the Management of the Municipal Green-

space Authority to prepare the Strategia rewaloryzacji

Parku Szczytnickiego we Wrocławiu [Strategy of resto-

ration of Szczytnicki Park in Wrocław] [15]

. In 2008,

the documentation concerning water management in the

area of the whole Szczytnicki Park was elaborated [12].

On the basis of these studies in 2009 a tender for technical

documentation of development of a part of the park in the

area of former exhibition areas (sector II) was announced.

The whole process of design work stopped then on the lev-

el of preliminary concepts. The breakthrough came only

in 2017, when in relation to the possibility of obtaining

EU funding for nature projects, the decision was made to

develop this part of Szczytnicki Park

(Fig. 5a, b) [7].

At the stage of project documentation and conservation

programs, all solutions in the park were introduced taking

into account, among others, opinions, recommendations,

and decisions of conservators, as well as decisions regard-

ing archaeological research made by competent institu-

tions [7]. In Wrocław, the highest level of restoration of

historical green areas is due to many years of multilevel

and meticulous work and the involvement of many spe-

cialists. The most important ones include: land managers,

designers, historians, scientists, civil servants, industry

inspectors and work contractors.

Strategy of restoration of Szczytnicki Park in Wrocław was dis-

cussed in various groups, but the meetings did not lead to formal legal

approval of the document [15].

The project entitled Development of a part of the Szczytnicki

Park area in Wrocław, the area adjacent to the Four Domes Pavilion,

bounded by A. Mickiewicza Street, the fence of the Japanese Garden

and the Pergola, implemented by the Management of the Municipal

Greenspace Authority in 2017–2018, received funding from the Euro-

pean Regional Development Fund, under the RPO of the Lower Silesian

Voivodeship 2014–2020 [7]. A detailed description of the investment

activities was published in [2].

Conclusions and challenges

The research resulted in collection and systematization

of information on the protection of historic greenery on

the example of the most important investment and renova-

tion works implemented in Szczytnicki Park in Wrocław

in 2000–2018. The data is presented in graphical form

and catalogued in terms of the period of implementation,

substantive scope and location. Conducted research has

provided evidence to conrm the thesis that works in

Szczytnicki Park in the analyzed period were mainly of

conservation and intervention nature. This paper lls the

gap of knowledge on the contemporary works in one of

the most valuable parks in Wrocław. The study can be

a reference material for future research studies. Litera-

ture studies, inventory of accomplished works and source

materials collected in the Management of the Municipal

Greenspace Authority allow to conclude that Szczytnicki

Park is too big to be renovated within one investment. The

needs in the scope of works are much higher than nanc-

ing possibilities granted by Wrocław Municipality. That is

why the tasks were and are implemented in stages in the

following years divided into sectors and objects

The long duration of preparatory works and implemen-

tation of greenery assumptions carried many risks. The

consequences could be the necessity of staging larger in-

vestments over many years, which signicantly prolonged

the whole process and threatened the increase of costs.

Moreover, design documentation for uncompleted tasks,

the permits of which had expired, required updating [8].

Challenges faced by managers of such unique objects

as Szczytnicki Park are not limited only to nancial or

Each year, further investment and renovation initiatives are sys-

tematically reported within the Investment Project Charters planned for

implementation and the need for funding [7]. An opportunity for nanc-

ing works may be grants under the new perspective of European funds

for 2021–2027.

Fig. 5. Szczytnicki Park in Wrocław:

a) the area around the Pergola and the Four Domes Pavilion after restoration (2017–2018),

b) typhlographic plaque in the form of a relief in metal alloy located by the Pergola (photo by S. Rozalski, 2019, 2020)

Il. 5. Park Szczytnicki we Wrocławiu:

a) okolice Pergoli i Pawilonu Czterech Kopuł po rewaloryzacji (2017–2018),

b) tablica tyflograficzna w formie reliefu w stopie metalu zlokalizowana przy Pergoli (fot. S. Rozalski, 2019, 2020)

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław. Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park in the years 2000–2018 137

legal issues. One of many contemporary challenges of

greenery protection is e.g. the issue of zoning and limiting

recreational capacity of selected sites. It is increasingly

common to limit the number of participants of events for

reasons of safety and maintenance of vegetation. Such

limitation was introduced in the Japanese Garden, which

thanks to the use of fences and ticketed entrance has

a chance to maintain the balance between cultural tourism

and garden art. Such objects of high historical, natural and

artistic value should have a barrier regulating the number

of visitors (Fig. 6) [7].

In terms of Szczytnicki Park management by the Ma-

na gement of the Municipal Greenspace Authority is also

important to provide proper care after the works have

been completed. The research on soil retention of green

areas carried out at Wrocław University of Life Sci ences

shoe that urban areas are periodically seriously threat-

ened by the occurrence of droughts of a scale and dura-

tion dangerous for plants [4, p. 108]. One of the solutions

used in the context of problems of periodic drought, but

also to reduce the cost of water for maintenance, can

be extensive methods of greenery management. After

2018, solutions such as enclaves of unmowed lawns or

oral meadows started to appear in greenery assumptions

in dierent parts of Wrocław, e.g., in Szczytnicki Park

(Fig. 7a, b) [7].

Fig. 6. The Japanese Garden in Szczytnicki Park in Wrocław:

a) view of the restored garden (photo by S. Rozalski, 2015),

b) queue to the ticket office in front of the entrance – an example of protecting green areas by limiting absorption photo by T. Broens, 2019)

Il. 6. Ogród Japoński w parku Szczytnickim we Wrocławiu:

a) widok na odrestaurowany ogród (fot. S. Rozalski, 2015),

b) kolejka do kasy biletowej przed wejściem – przykład ochrony założeń zieleni poprzez limitowanie chłonności (fot. T. Broens, 2019)

Fig. 7. Szczytnicki Park in Wrocław. Naturalistic, extensive direction of green areas maintenance after 2018 – unmowed lawns:

a) in the Pergola area, b) in sector IV of the park – description in the photo “We don’t mow the lawn. Here we feed insects”

(photo by S. Rozalski, 2019, 2020)

Il. 7. Park Szczytnicki we Wrocławiu. Naturalistyczny, ekstensywny kierunek utrzymania terenów zieleni po 2018 r. – niekoszone trawniki:

a) w rejonie Pergoli, b) w sektorze IV parku (fot. S. Rozalski, 2019, 2020)

138 Szymon Rozalski

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Providing multifaceted protection to Szczytnicki Park

and the objects included in its complex certainly had an

impact on the perception of high rank of the object, not

only by the Wrocław authorities, but also by the citizens.

Numerous works carried out in 2000–2018 have been

a proof of our care. From the point of view of further pro-

tection it will be important to maintain the durability and

good condition of the completed works so that the park can

full its functions and delight future generations of users.

Translated by

Wiktoria Mroczek

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław. Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park in the years 2000–2018 139

Abstract

Protection of historical greenery in Wrocław. Investment and renovation works in Szczytnicki Park in the years 2000–2018

Szczytnicki Park is the oldest and the largest public park in Wrocław. The assumption with an area of over 100 ha is characterized by a multi-

part, diverse composition resulting from a multi-phase transformation process, which lasted over 200 years. The subject of this paper is protection

of historical greenery on the example of investment and renovation works implemented in Szczytnicki Park in 2000–2018. The author assumed

a hypothesis that the activities of this period were mainly of conservation and intervention nature. For its verication, the author made an inventory

of 45 representative works based on eld, bibliographical, and iconographic analyses, but primarily on source materials collected by the Management

of the Municipal Greenspace Authority in Wrocław. These works are described from the perspective of a researcher-practitioner who has been a proj-

ect manager at the Management of the Municipal Greenspace Authority for many years. On the one hand, the paper synthesizes data presented in stud-

ies regarding the park, on the other hand, it broadens the knowledge on the newest implementations that have not been presented in literature so far.

Key words: Wrocław, Szczytnicki Park, Centennial Hall, UNESCO, historic greenery

Streszczenie

Ochrona zabytkowych założeń zieleni we Wrocławiu. Prace inwestycyjno-remontowe w parku Szczytnickim w okresie 2000–2018

Park Szczytnicki jest najstarszym i największym parkiem publicznym we Wrocławiu. Założenie o powierzchni ponad 100 ha charakteryzuje się

wieloczęściową, zróżnicowaną kompozycją wynikającą z wielofazowego, trwającego ponad 200 lat procesu przemian. Tematem artykułu jest ochro-

na zabytkowych założeń zieleni na przykładzie prac inwestycyjno-remontowych zrealizowanych w parku Szczytnickim w latach 2000–2018. Autor

przyjął hipotezę, że działania z tego okresu miały charakter głównie konserwatorsko-interwencyjny. W celu jej werykacji przeprowadził inwen-

taryzację 45 reprezentatywnych prac, bazując w swoich studiach na analizach terenowych, bibliogracznych, ikonogracznych, przede wszystkim

jednak sięgając do materiałów źródłowych zgromadzonych w Zarządzie Zieleni Miejskiej we Wrocławiu. Prace te zostały opisane z perspektywy

badacza-praktyka, który od wielu lat jest kierownikiem projektu w Zarządzie Zieleni Miejskiej. Artykuł z jednej strony syntezuje dane przedstawione

w opracowaniach na temat parku, z drugiej poszerza wiedzę na temat najnowszych realizacji dotychczas nieprzedstawianych w literaturze przed-

miotu.

Słowa kluczowe: Wrocław, park Szczytnicki, Hala Stulecia, UNESCO, zabytkowe założenia zieleni

za chodu, Kanał Żeglowny od północy i północnego wschodu, od

po łudnia – Kanał Opatowicki i rzekę Odrę, https://baw.um.wroc.

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