Historical ruin of a medieval castle – proposal of methodology for comprehensive monument analysis

Katarzyna Drobek

doi:10.37190/arc240206

Abstract

The development of civilisation and the changing needs of users have meant that most historic buildings have lost their original function and have begun to deteriorate as a result of lack of use. For this reason, structures preserved in the form of ruins require a comprehensive approach to solving their conservation, technical and architectural problems. The article presents the author’s method of analysing a ruined building, which takes into account a number of decision-making factors that form the basis for evaluating the structure and determining its further treatment. The proposed analysis is presented from the perspective of a conservationist and is intended to be a comprehensive compilation of knowledge about the monument. The author emphasises the significance of castle ruins as an important group of monuments that can provide a wealth of information about the history and culture of a site. However, there is currently no standard for analysing and collecting data that is crucial for the preservation of the site. The creation of such a document is therefore an extremely important issue.

Keywords:
historic ruin
castle
cultural heritage
analysis
survey

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2024

2(78)

Katarzyna Drobek*

Historical ruin of a medieval castle – proposal of methodology

for comprehensive monument analysis

Introduction

Reecting on the history and heritage of our past often

leads to the study of castle ruins, which are visible signs

of our long history [1]. There are many remains of ancient

castles and fortresses in Europe, which are exceptional ar-

chitectural masterpieces. They are historic defensive struc-

tures with high walls, crenellated battlements and distinc-

tive towers, built mainly in the Middle Ages [2]. Castle

ruins are not only a physical testimony to the passing of

time and changing civilisations [3], but also a key element

of national and regional identity. They are living relics of

the past that have acquired their signicance both from his-

torical facts and from the meanings attributed to them by

the societies that surround and use them [4].

These fortied complexes played a dual role, function

ing both as residences and defensive fortresses. They were

DOI: 10.37190/arc240206

Published in open access. CC BY NC ND license

also symbols of the power, military might and social pres-

tige of their owners [2]. They were once places at the cen-

tre of political, social and economic life, and today they

constitute a valuable historical and cultural resource that

allows us to understand and appreciate our past [3]. As ci-

vilisation developed and the needs of users changed, most

historic buildings lost their original function. As a result,

they began to deteriorate through lack of use [5]. Their

function has changed over the centuries and some of them

have been irreversibly destroyed by human activity or nat-

ural environmental processes [6].

A growing interest in medieval castle ruins can be ob-

served both in Poland and internationally. This phenom-

enon is part of a wider trend towards recognition of the

importance of cultural heritage and its value for modern

societies [7]. This issue has been taken up many times, in-

cluding in the activities of the Polish National Committee

of ICOMOS. There are many publications on the topic of

permanent ruins, which present a very broad approach to

their protection, management and use. The international

RUINS project, in which 6 European countries participated,

came to an end in 2020. Its aim was to create international

* ORCID: 0000000335991169. Faculty of Civil Engineering

and Architecture, Lublin University of Technology, Poland, email:

k.drobek@pollub.pl

Abstract

The development of civilisation and the changing needs of users have meant that most historic buildings have lost their original function and have

begun to deteriorate as a result of lack of use. For this reason, structures preserved in the form of ruins require a comprehensive approach to solving

their conservation, technical and architectural problems.

The article presents the author’s method of analysing a ruined building, which takes into account a number of decisionmaking factors that form the

basis for evaluating the structure and determining its further treatment. The proposed analysis is presented from the perspective of a conservationist and

is intended to be a comprehensive compilation of knowledge about the monument.

The author emphasises the signicance of castle ruins as an important group of monuments that can provide a wealth of information about the

history and culture of a site. However, there is currently no standard for analysing and collecting data that is crucial for the preservation of the site. The

creation of such a document is therefore an extremely important issue.

Key words: historic ruin, castle, cultural heritage, analysis, survey

56 Katarzyna Drobek

standards for the use, management and protection of medi-

eval ruins in Central Europe [8].

With increasing attention being paid to the conservation

and presentation of such sites to the public, there is a need

to develop a more systematic approach to the analysis and

interpretation of these important heritage resources [7]. It

is therefore necessary to develop a method of analysis of

a ruined site to initiate the discussion of conservation deci-

sions and the continued use of a castle ruin, incorporating

a range of decision factors as a basis for evaluating the site,

determining further protection and better management of

these sites [9].

Methodology and objectives

The aim of this article is to consider, from a conserva-

tor’s perspective, whether it is possible to specify a pro-

cess for selecting the future form of a ruined castle. The

article focuses on the creation of a model for the analysis

of medieval castle ruins. It is a programmatic article that

aims to identify the fundamental factors that will support

the process of selecting a conservation approach to deal

with a monument. This analysis is intended to be useful

to those involved in the conservation of monuments and

to be used for discussion by the conservation community.

As a holistic but concise study, it is intended to provide the

basis for an informed and scientically based prioritisation

of the conservation treatment of historic ruins.

The purpose of the analysis presented in this article is

to collect and present information about the ruin in a clear

manner. By presenting the data in tabular form, a compar-

ative analysis can be carried out once a larger number of

monuments have been surveyed. This will make it possible

to select the most valuable ruins and, in the next stage, to

choose the best way of treating (protecting) them.

The article is the author’s proposal of a model for ana-

lysing a historical castle ruin. It is based on:

– the analysis of literature sources on the reuse of his-

torical ruins,

– the analysis of the author’s own studies on the imple-

mentation of strategies for the protection of structures in

a state of ruin.

The conservation theory approach to a ruin

According to conservation doctrines, a ruin is treated

as a fulledged monument with autonomous values [10].

There are several doctrinal documents relating to ruins and

the reconstruction of monuments. Dierent doctrines apply

depending on the type of structure, its varying condition

and the nature of the damage. International regulations and

guidelines explicitly discourage the reconstruction of incom-

plete buildings [11]. Documents developed by ICOMOS

and UNESCO provide general guidelines for contemporary

interventions on historic buildings [12] and dene criteria

for their analysis. Their aim is to preserve for future genera-

tions the historic value, integrity and, above all, authenticity

of monuments, subject to certain limitations.

The preservation of a structure in the form of the so

called “permanent ruin” derives mainly from the principles

formulated by John Ruskin in the mid19

century, when

a noninterventionist attitude towards ruins prevailed [13].

The theory promoted by Ruskin gave rise to the English

school of ruin conservation, although its origins go back

much further. Its assumptions are mainly based on stop-

ping the process of destruction of ruins and preserving

them as they have survived to the present day. Only the

necessary work can be carried out on the site, excluding re-

construction. All interventions are aimed at strengthening

the structure and substance without altering the form of the

ruin, as well as preserving the face of the wall and securing

its crown. Interventions are mainly limited to cleaning and

deconstruction of the monument. For the English school

of ruin conservation, the question of exposing the ruin is

important.

There are now common standards, documents and inter-

national charters that European countries can follow when

dealing with ruins. These relate primarily to respect for the

authenticity and integrity of the building [14].

The dominant approach is derived from the Venice

Charter [15], which is also referred to in the Polish pro-

gramme declarations [16]. The Operational Guidelines for

the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of

the World Cultural and Natural Heritage [17] describe is-

sues concerning the reconstruction of monuments with re-

gard to their authenticity. They specify that the reconstruc-

tion of the remains of historic buildings is possible only in

extraordinary situations and allowed only on the basis of

complete documentation. It is not possible to make recon-

structions on the basis of conjecture. The Amsterdam Dec-

laration [18] states that the assignment of new functions to

historic buildings should be undertaken in a responsible

and carefully considered manner in order to preserve the

historic and architectural value of the building.

Another document relating to ruins is the Dresden Dec-

laration [19]. It refers to the restoration of monuments

destroyed by war and demonstrates the need to document

monuments as a means of ensuring their protection in the

event of conict, while also drawing attention to the causes

and methods of restoration.

The Burra Charter [20], as revised in 2013, recom-

mends an approach to the preservation and conservation of

ruins that involves minimal interference with their original

structure and context, while maintaining their integrity and

heritage value. According to the document, the approach

to ruins should include the management of their historic

environment so that their historical and cultural context is

preserved and understood by visitors. Ruins should also

be protected from further deterioration and destruction

through the use of appropriate conservation and preserva-

tion techniques.

Another document is Ruins: A guide to conservation

and management, developed by the Australian Govern-

ment Department of the Environment and Energy [21] to

provide advice on the conservation and management of

historic ruins in Australia. It includes a description of the

issues associated with the conservation and management of

ruins, including preservation, restoration, protection from

human activity and environmental impacts. The document

also provides practical advice and recommendations for

Historical ruin of a medieval castle – proposal of methodology for comprehensive monument analysis 57

making

decisions about the conservation and management

of ruins, including how to make them accessible to the

public and tourists to protect them from harm, while al-

lowing them to be enjoyed in a responsible and sustain-

able way.

The main principles of action for historic ruins are set

out in a policy document, the Charter for the Protection of

Historic Ruins [10], adopted by PKN ICOMOS in 2012.

This document states that the appropriate form of pro-

tection for historic ruins is to maintain them as socalled

“permanent ruins”. The basic assumption derived from the

abovementioned document regarding the conduct of any

action on historic monuments is their reversibility and dis-

tinguishability from the historic substance, while maintain-

ing harmony with the surroundings. The form of a histori-

cal ruin is an overriding value, and any intervention should

not lead to a change in its signicance in the landscape.

Another document is the Warsaw Recommendation on

the Restoration of Cultural Heritage Destroyed by Armed

Conict and Natural Disasters [22], which is an interna-

tional policy document. It contains a complete set of rules

and guidelines for the process of rebuilding cities and re-

constructing historic buildings or sites that have been de-

stroyed by wars or natural disasters.

A relatively recent document that also addresses dila

pidated sites is the 2023 study by the German Federal In-

stitute of Research on Building, Urban Aairs and Spatial

Development entitled Resilience and cultural heritage in

urban development [23]. This document focuses on the

integration of risk management in the protection of cul-

tural heritage in cities. It highlights the importance of an

integrated approach to risk management and heritage pro-

tection, particularly in the context of increasing risks such

as climate change and armed conict, as well as risks from

natural disasters such as oods and res. The document

highlights the need for cooperation between dierent fac-

tors and to treat cultural heritage as a resource contribut-

ing to urban resilience. Special emphasis is placed on the

assessment and management of risks related to climate

change and urbanisation, using as an example the medi-

eval ruins in the town of Tønsberg, including the ruins of

“Tunsberghus” castle.

The doctrinal documents presented above are charac-

terised by a rather radical approach to reach. Nowadays,

there is a growing departure from orthodoxy. There is an

increasing number of buildings in the world that are delib-

erately destroyed during wars or by natural factors such as

earthquakes. A ruin is considered to be of no use or aesthet-

ic value. Owners of buildings and local authorities strive

for the complete or partial restoration of monuments. In

addition, there is also pressure from the public, who be-

lieve that these buildings should be reduced to a more

commercial function.

Historic building analysis

There is still no model developed in conservation theory

for the analysis of a historical building in order to deter-

mine its values (tangible and intangible) [24]. This is im-

portant because the lack of standardisation of this type of

documentation leads to signicant discrepancies between

the materials collected and analysed. In order to carry out

detailed research, it is necessary to use various sources of

information, including historical documents, photographs,

maps, conservation studies and other materials. Artur

Kwaś niewski has also tried to create a methodology for

analysing a historical building. He also points out the im-

portance of the stage of the analysis of the value of a his-

torical building in the whole research process related to the

planning of its preservation and adaptation. His proposal is

based on a threestage, fouraspect analysis. The proposed

model of analysis refers to the cultural heritage in general

and strictly to the planning of the process of conservation,

adaptation and promotion [25]. Unlike Kwaśniewski, the

analysis presented in this article relates only to a small

group of monuments that are castle ruins and aims to iden-

tify the most important features/values of the site.

As part of the research project “Castles in Ruins – Princi-

ples of Conservation Practice” (Research project No. N N527

205839

funded from the science budget in 2010–2012 by

Warsaw University of Technology and Lublin Universi-

ty of Technology), a “Charter of a Castle in Ruins” was

developed. It was intended to provide a comprehensive

documentation of the building in ruins, covering both the

general characteristics of the building, its architecture and

technical issues. Its scope is extremely broad and the de-

velopment of this charter required cooperation of many

specialists. The main aim of the Charter was to collect ma-

terial that would provide a comprehensive documentation

as a basis for decisions regarding the conservation of the

site, assuming that the site is maintained as a permanent

ruin. However, the charter has not been widely used.

A commonly used system for heritage assessment to-

day is MCDM (Multiple Criteria Decision Making), or

multicriteria analysis. The term MCDM is used for all

methods and techniques that involve more than one con-

icting criterion used by decision makers to arrive at a pref-

erence [26]. There are many types of MCDM (e.g., AHP,

ANP, ELECTRE, PROMETHEE) and the choice of the ap-

propriate method depends on the specics of the problem

and the preferences and needs of the decision maker.

To date, there is no single universally accepted mod-

el for multicriteria analysis applied to historic buildings

[27]. Multicriteria analysis supports the evaluation and

identication of strategies to transform and adapt sites to

contemporary functions. Multicriteria analysis is a meth-

od of evaluating and comparing alternatives in which sev-

eral attributes are considered simultaneously [28]. These

attributes are sometimes referred to as “objectives” or “de-

cision criteria”. They are based on dening criteria that in-

clude both tangible and intangible aspects and determining

their relative importance to each other [29].

The characteristics selected for analysis are based on the

knowledge and experience of conservation and heritage pro-

fessionals, and on consultation with all stakeholders, such

as owners, the local community, investors and public policy

makers [30]. The criteria included in the analysis can cover

many aspects, both tangible and intangible [27], and are tai-

lored to the purpose for which they are intended. Multicri-

teria analysis allows all these factors to be considered

58 Katarzyna Drobek

more objectively and comprehensively when making deci-

sions about the adaptation of historic buildings. The aim of

multicriteria analysis is to nd the best solution that satis

es all the required criteria, and to select the option that

best meets the needs and conservation requirements of the

monument. MCDA methods are used to make a compara-

tive assessment of alternative solutions [30].

Multicriteria analyses often use a scoring system for

each of the criteria. Scoring allows for a more objective

and accurate comparison of dierent options and the selec-

tion of the best option. Each criterion is scored on a pre-

determined scale, and the scores for each option are added

together to determine the best option. The scoring process

can be supported by IT and mathematical tools that allow

more accurate and faster calculation of results.

Complex analysis

of the historical castle ruin

One method of preserving historic ruins is to protect

them in the form of a “permanent ruin”. From a conserva-

tion point of view, this is the correct way to protect a histor-

ic ruin. However, practical and technical aspects show that

the maintenance of a permanent ruin is highly problematic.

An example of this is the deliberate omission of roof struc-

tures in ruined castles in order to preserve the authentici-

ty of the buildings. In the context of the Lipowiec Castle

in Babice and the Helfštýn Castle in Týn nad Bečvou, the

“permanent ruin” approach to conservation involves a con-

scious decision not to reconstruct the roofs

of the castle

wings and towers. This decision, while respecting the his-

torical authenticity and aesthetics of the ruins, may lead to

longterm maintenance problems for these structures. The

lack of roong means that the structures are directly ex-

posed to weather conditions such as rain, snow and frost,

which can accelerate the processes of erosion and deteri-

oration of the building material. The decision to maintain

these structures as “permanent ruins” without roofs is a step

towards protecting their historical value, but it also poses

conservation challenges and restrictions on their use. The

cost of maintenance and conservation work is usually high-

er than the income generated by making the site available

for tourism. A permanent ruin is not socially acceptable due

to its lack of utilitarian qualities, low tourist attractiveness

and problems in reading the architectural form [31]. The

views of local government ocials, regional activists and

tourists themselves dier signicantly from those of con-

servationists. Rebuilding or new construction of this type

of building is a condition desired by the public [32].

The preservation of such buildings is extremely import-

ant as they are valuable witnesses to history. Castle ruins

have long since lost their original function, so various

interventions are needed to maintain the site and keep it

functioning. The preservation of the architectural heritage

includes its continued use. It is also closely linked to con-

stant monitoring of the state of the building, regular main-

tenance and ensuring the safety of users [33]. Reuse, by

giving the ruins a new function in relation to the current

spatial context, is the only way to preserve a monument and

it can contribute to achieving a balance between economic,

environmental and sociocultural development [34]. Some

times it is also necessary to add new volumes to a ruin [29].

However, the most desirable condition is their reconstruc-

tion [33], [35]. In 2017, in line with the idea of restoring

cubic forms to ruins, the intention to rebuild the castles of

Kazimierz Wielki [Casimir III the Great] appeared in Po-

land. These are not new ideas, as they were already in exis-

tence at the beginning of the 20

century, and some of them

have already been partially realized.

In order to avoid undocumented reconstruction and the

falsication of history, it is necessary to compile all infor-

mation into a single document. Therefore, a comprehensive

analysis of a historical ruin is extremely important and re-

quires a certain amount of systematisation. The adaptation

process of architectural heritage buildings is extremely

complex. It should be preceded by a broad recognition of

the site, which will include various types of issues that aect

both the conservation of the site and the realisation of its so-

cial, economic and cultural potential. The increase in tour-

ism, the adaptation of the ruins to current standards of use

and the introduction of new functions not only involve the

adaptation of existing elements for visitors, but often also

the design of new volumes within the historic site.

This analysis is therefore concerned with features and

factors that aect the future of the site, but which have been

shaped in the past as well as in the present. It includes these

aspects because, taken together, they provide a broader

view of the site. It is important for the planning and con-

servation process, as it allows the identication of further

opportunities for its protection and conservation, and the

selection of an appropriate direction for its revitalisation

and development. The analysis provides a holistic view of

the property in a synthetic manner. This information, which

makes a case for the structure’s conservation, serves as

a basis for further discussion and debate about the build-

ing’s future.

The analysis of a building is crucial to its understanding

and protection, as it allows the value and conservation needs

of monuments to be accurately determined. A comprehen-

sive analysis should be carried out by conservation experts.

With relevance and temporal reference in mind, as

shown in Figure 1, the analysis of the criteria for assessing

a historic ruin was divided into three main factors:

1. Conservation factors.

2. Knowledge of the building.

3. Contemporary factors.

These factors, assigned to each group, are dierent in

nature. They are all important for the full understanding,

conservation and appropriate use of historic ruins as im-

portant cultural heritage. They reect the three main as-

pects that need to be considered when managing a heritage

site: the practical aspects of conservation, the historical

and cultural understanding of the site, and current contex-

tual issues.

The selection of factors for the historical analysis of

castle ruins was based on the analysis of various materials

on dierent castle ruins. It is also the result of an improved

form of presentation of information about the monument,

used by the author to prepare studies on conservation strat-

egies for castle ruins.

Historical ruin of a medieval castle – proposal of methodology for comprehensive monument analysis 59

Conservation factors

The rst part of the analysis, dealing with conservation

factors, is crucial because it focuses on the value of the

ruin as a historical work. This part is crucial because it

allows for an indepth understanding of the monument and

the identication of the most important elements for its

preservation.

Table 1 presents the elements related to the arguments

of the monument, i.e., the factors that are absolutely re-

lated to the building under discussion. The conservation

factors provide a basis for identifying the most important

elements to be protected. It allows the historical, morpho-

logical, material and technological aspects of the fabric to

be studied. The ruin is presented as a valuable educational

and comparative tool, and the study of these remains can

provide important information about their construction.

This information is the key to dening appropriate conser-

vation and design strategies.

Knowledge of the structure

The second part of the analysis presented in Table 2 con-

cerns factors related to knowledge of the structure. It refers

primarily to the quantity and quality of information avail-

able about the historic ruin. Any information about the doc-

umentation of the site and its research (archaeological, con-

servation, architectural, etc.) helps to increase knowledge

about the building. This is particularly important in the case

of work on the monument and planned reconstructions of

the ruin, which should be based on the research carried out

on the site. The availability of this information is crucial

in order to make the right decisions regarding the conser-

vation and presentation of the ruin as a cultural heritage

Fig. 1. Criteria for the evaluation

of a historical ruin

(elaborated by K. Drobek)

Il. 1. Kryteria oceny

ruin historycznych

(oprac. K. Drobek)

KNOWLEDGE

OF BUILDING

CONTEMPORARY

FACTORS

USAGE FACTORS

MANAGEMENT

FACTORS

CONSERVATION

FACTORS

CRITERIA FOR THE EVALUATION

OF A HISTORICAL RUIN

Criteria for the evaluation of a historical castle ruin

Conservation factors

authenticity

defined as the current representation of a structure’s original form (state of preservation

of the historic substance) from the time of its construction, showing its history

integrity

defined as the homogeneity of the monument and whether the structure is fragmenting,

as well as how much authentic substance has been lost and what has been recently added to it

value of the building

defined as the cultural, historical or artistic significance that the building has.

The value of a listed building derives from its association with the past, history, culture,

science or art. It may be related to a specific historical period, exceptional artistic value

or rarity of the structure

primary status of the building/

former status of the building

defined as the level of historical, artistic and scientific significance that the site had

when it was built

structure related to the terrain

and location of the building

defined as the spatial form of the site related to its location (e.g., lowlands, hills, mountains)

size of the building defined as the space inside and outside the castle walls

historical function determining the function, role and significance of a monument in the context of past events

contemporary function

defined as the function that a monument has today. In the case of monuments, this may include

museum, residential, commercial, tourist, cultural, educational or scientific functions

historic form defined as the original form of a structure and any changes to its form over the centuries

state of preservation

defined as the state of preservation of the historical substance of a building

in relation to its original form; it includes an assessment of its structural integrity,

the originality of its materials and components, and the state of preservation of

its decoration and architectural details

historical material the material of construction of the building

Table 1. Criteria for the evaluation of a historic castle ruin regarding conservation factors (elaborated by K. Drobek)

Tabela 1. Kryteria oceny zabytkowej ruiny zamku w nawiązaniu do czynników konserwatorskich (oprac. K. Drobek)

60 Katarzyna Drobek

cultural heritage. They reect the three main aspects that

need to be considered when managing a heritage site: the

practical aspects of conservation, the historical and cultural

understanding of the site, and current contextual issues.

Application of the analysis model

This analysis aims to structure the information and

knowledge about the building. It presents a variety of argu-

ments concerning the monument. It is made from the point

of view of the conservator, who is authorised to make de-

cisions on the protection of the monument. For this reason,

the data concerning the preservation of the historical ele-

ment should be given priority. They are arguments for the

protection of the building and provide a basis for further

discussion about the future of the monument. This material

should be used extensively when presenting proposals for

action at the site and for discussion in the wider communi-

ty (e.g., with stakeholders).

The model for the analysis of structures in the form of

a ruin presented in this article does not give value to the

particular arguments. It is used as an analytical method

to help understand and organise all the criteria, which are

the same for every historical ruin. Each of these criteria is

applicable to any medieval castle ruin. Only the amount

of information included will vary. The system deliberately

does not assign a value to the arguments and stops before

scoring because it is extremely dicult to compare the

data. It is not possible to give a weighting to each of the

factors, as they are numerous and very dierent in nature.

There are several main reasons for this approach:

1. Diculty in comparing data: Ruin sites often vary

considerably in their characteristics, size, state of preserva-

tion, historical signicance, and other aspects. As a result,

comparing them using standard criteria can be extremely

dicult and inaccurate. In addition, it will be completely

biased to evaluate, for example, sites that may be of great

regional signicance but of much lesser value at the nation-

al level.

2. A multitude of factors: The analysis of buildings in

the form of ruins requires consideration of a wide range of

site. Without comprehensive knowledge of a structure, it is

dicult to take eective action to protect and conserve the

building. This includes information on the eectiveness of

the measures taken to protect it from deterioration and the

quality of the conservation work carried out.

Contemporary factors

The nal, third part of the analysis presented in Table 3

relates to contemporary factors associated with the pres-

ent and future use of the site. It includes all the variables

that inuence the perception and use of historic ruins in

the contemporary social, cultural and economic context.

The factors related to contemporary conditions are further

divided into two parts, namely usage factors and manage-

ment factors. Usage factors, in the case of this analysis,

are intended to indicate the current use of the site. They

include information about the space, its adaptation to tour-

ism and its potential in this area. It is also important to

re-

member that the surroundings of the site are an integral part

of the castle ruin. All the spaces around the building, i.e.,

squares, parks, gardens, are important in terms of use con-

siderations. It is also necessary to take into account issues

related to supporting infrastructure, such as car parking.

Management factors (mainly ownership issues) have

a sig nicant impact on the protection and preservation.

They also aect the availability of funds for its mainte-

nance and conservation. The nancial issues are clearly

dierent for private and public ownership. First and fore-

most, this aects the issue of raising funds for the mainte-

nance of the monument. If there is an appropriate manager,

he or she will be able to obtain funding for the monument.

Compared to the previous two parts of the analysis, the

factors identied as contemporary can be volatile. They

also present challenges in terms of maintaining authenticity

and an authentic visitor experience. It is important to con-

sider these factors in order to balance heritage conservation

with meeting contemporary public needs and interests.

These factors, assigned to each group, are dierent in na-

ture. They are all important for the full understanding, con-

servation and appropriate use of historic ruins as important

Table 2. Criteria for the evaluation of a historical castle ruin regarding knowledge of the castle ruin (elaborated by K. Drobek)

Tabela 2. Kryteria oceny historycznej ruiny zamku dotyczące wiedzy na temat ruiny zamku (oprac. K. Drobek)

Criteria for the evaluation of a historical castle ruin

Knowledge of the structure

monument documentation

the type of archival material present (e.g., iconographic sources, photographs, illustrations,

historical descriptive documentation and conservation documentation relating to the site)

monument rebuilding/

extension phases

defined as the changes in structure, form and function that the monument has gone

through over the centuries

research and conservation work

conducted on the monument

documented research and conservation work they had on the site

impact of previous conservation

work/additions/adaptations

to the current state

identification of the impact of the works carried out on the site and how they have improved

the conservation status of the monument or had a negative impact on its condition.

In the case of the addition of new elements, it is also important to consider whether

the reversibility of the conservation work carried out has been ensured

technical condition

of the structure

refers to the overall physical and functional condition of the structure

Historical ruin of a medieval castle – proposal of methodology for comprehensive monument analysis 61

factors that may aect their value. These may include his-

torical and cultural value, condition, location, restoration

potential, as well as aspects of current value.

3. Variability over time: The valuation of buildings in

the form of ruins can change over time. The state of preser-

vation and historic value may change due to natural factors,

human actions or other events. This makes a standardised

approach to valuation even more dicult.

4. Subjectivity of evaluation: The evaluation of ruins

can depend heavily on the individual preferences, experi-

ence and knowledge of the person making the evaluation.

A particular site may be a valuable monument to one per-

son, but of less importance to another.

Given the above factors, it is understandable that the

model presented avoids attempting to give specic values

or scores. This can lead to signicant simplications and

misinterpretations. By analysing the ruin using this model,

the focus can be on providing as much information as pos-

sible about the site. This allows users to make their own

assessment and evaluation, taking into account their own

priorities and understanding.

Of course, regardless of the model used, the analysis

of ruin sites will always remain challenging and requires

a balanced approach that takes into account the multifac-

eted nature of these sites. Thanks to its comprehensive and

thorough nature, it allows the creation of a detailed picture

of the monument, which enables its eective protection

and appropriate use for the needs of the community.

Conclusions

The analysis of the historical castle ruin presented in

this article is a comprehensive compilation of knowledge

about the monument. The information about the building

is presented in a structured way. This is crucial for its un-

derstanding and conservation, as it allows the value and

conservation needs of historic ruins to be accurately deter-

mined. The paper proposes a threefactor framework for

Criteria for the evaluation of a historical castle ruin

Contemporary factors

usage factors

location

identify the location of the monument in its closest surroundings;

location of the monument in relation to other places, such as the nearest urban centre,

neighbourhood, river, etc.; in addition a description of the location in its historical context

surrounding area

definition of the site’s surroundings in the context of the surrounding landscape,

urban layout and other elements influencing the perception of the monument

and the relationship of the site to its surroundings

accessibility

defining information on the accessibility of the site, e.g., whether it is easily

accessible to tourists and how to get to it (connection to roads, public transport, etc.)

immediate surroundings

of the site

defined as the adaptation of the immediate environment to accommodate its wider use,

including the supporting infrastructure that is key to making the ruins

accessible to the wider public, such as squares, car parks and green spaces

volumes

defined as historic and contemporary indoor spaces (rooms) that allow for

the introduction of functions and the organisation of exhibition and technical facilities

open spaces

defined as open areas that can be used for outdoor activities

(e.g., courtyards, castle forecourts) to enhance local heritage or tourism

use and development

of the building with

an evaluation of the impact

on the monument

identification of the potential effects that may arise from activities

related to the use and development of the site on the heritage value

tourist accessibility

defined as the degree of accessibility for tourism and the elements available

to visitors, taking into account, among other things, footpaths, information boards,

whether the facility is adapted for people with reduced mobility

functionaladaptive potential

defined as the capacity of a monument to be used and adapted to new functions

while retaining its historic and architectural value

social conditions

defined as the significance of the monument for the local community

and the general public, taking into account its role as a symbol,

source of knowledge, place of worship and tourist attraction

management

factors

state of preservation

defined as the state of preservation of the historical substance of a building

in relation to its original form; it includes an assessment of its structural integrity,

the originality of its materials and components, and the state of preservation

of its decoration and architectural details

historical material the material of construction of the building

Table 3. Criteria for the evaluation of a historic castle ruin in relation to the contemporary conditions of the site (elaborated by K. Drobek)

Tabela 3. Kryteria oceny zabytkowej ruiny zamku w odniesieniu do współczesnych uwarunkowań obiektu (oprac. K. Drobek)

62 Katarzyna Drobek

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analysis, including conservation factors, knowledge of the

site and contemporary factors. This analysis can inuence

the development of a conservation programme that balanc-

es conservation with adaptability to changing needs and

interests.

The preservation of historical ruins in the form of a so

called “permanent ruin” is a conservative way of pro-

tecting ruined buildings. However, the desirability of

maintaining buildings in this state is increasingly being

questioned due to the high maintenance costs. In addition,

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public’s dierent attitudes to the restoration and renova-

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Translated by

Katarzyna Drobek

Historical ruin of a medieval castle – proposal of methodology for comprehensive monument analysis 63

Streszczenie

Historyczna ruina średniowiecznego zamku – propozycja metodologii kompleksowej analizy obiektu

Rozwój cywilizacji i zmieniające się potrzeby użytkowników sprawiły, że większość zabytkowych obiektów utraciła swoją pierwotną funkcję,

a w konsekwencji zaczęła niszczeć. Z tego powodu obiekty zachowane w formie ruin wymagają kompleksowego podejścia do rozwiązywania ich

problemów konserwatorskich, technicznych i architektonicznych.

W artykule przedstawiona została autorska metoda analizy zrujnowanego obiektu, która uwzględnia wiele czynników, będących podstawą do oceny

obiektu i określenia dalszego postępowania. Zaproponowana analiza jest przedstawiona z pozycji konserwatora zabytków i ma stanowić kompleksowe

zestawienie wiedzy dotyczącej zabytku.

Autorka podkreśla znaczenie ruin zamków jako ważnej grupy zabytków, które mogą dostarczyć wielu informacji na temat historii i kultury danego

miejsca. Obecnie brakuje jednak standardu analizowania i zbierania danych, które są kluczowe dla ochrony obiektu. Dlatego stworzenie takiego do-

kumentu jest niezwykle istotną kwestią.

Słowa kluczowe: historyczna ruina, zamek, dziedzictwo kulturowe, analiza, ankieta

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