State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II As provided in ICOMOS evaluation LITHUANIA Action by ICOMOS At the request of the World Heritage Centre, Vilnius Historic Centre ICOMOS nominated an expert to visit Vilnius in January 1994. Professor Panu Kaila (President, ICOMOS Finland) spent a week there, holding Brief description many discussions with those responsible for Political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania management, conservation and restoration as well from the 13th to the end of the 18th century, Vilnius as carrying out a detailed examination of the has had a profound influence on the cultural and historic centre. architectural development of much of Eastern Qualities Europe. Despite invasions and partial destruction, it has preserved an impressive complex of Gothic, To quote Professor Kaila’s report, “the historic Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings as centre of Vilnius is a rich collection of buildings from well as its medieval layout and natural setting. different ages and full of everyday life . Personally I am convinced that [it] has an outstanding universal value, that it sufficiently 1. Introduction meets the test of authenticity, and that it merits to Year(s) of Inscription 1994 be nominated to the World Heritage List.” Having studied the documentation provided by the State Agency responsible for site management Party and Professor Kaila’s report, ICOMOS fully • Vilnius City Municipality concurs with this view. Konstitucijos pr. 3 Comparative analysis LT-09601 Vilnius e-mail:
[email protected] Vilnius forms part of the extensive network of website: www.vilnius.lt medieval and early modern trading towns that stretch from Ireland to Russia.