European science review № 5–6 2015 May–June «East West» Association for Advanced Studies and Higher Education GmbH Vienna 2015 European Sciences review Scientific journal № 5–6 2015 (May–June) ISSN 2310-5577 Editor-in-chief Lucas Koenig, Austria Consulting editors Uwe Eisenberg, Austria Minik Olsen, Sweden International editorial board Melinda Boros, Hungary Miroslavka Murkovič, Slovenia Jana Ilyna, Russia Wu Pan, China Dragan Novak, Croatia Dirk Eggers, Germany Yashkova Tatiana, Russia Proofreading Kristin Theissen Cover design Andreas Vogel Additional design Stephan Friedman Editorial office European Science Review “East West” Association for Advanced Studies and Higher Education GmbH, Am Gestade 1 1010 Vienna, Austria Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.ew-a.org European Science Review is an international, German/English/Russian language, peer-reviewed journal. It is published bimonthly with circulation of 1000 copies. 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Architecture Wail Houssin, Taibah University, AlUla Community Colleage PhD in Architecture, Professor, Head of the Department of Architecture E‑mail: [email protected] Historical and cultural landscape of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria Abstract: The article presents a view of the issue of interactions between space and landscape architecture, judging from the position that these interactions are determined by cultural peculiarities as well as specific features of nature and landscape in the region. Taking into consideration the above-mentioned, it can be stated that a principal distinc- tion between proper architecture and landscape architecture as its component simply does not exist. The phenom- enon of a historically created cultural landscape has been discussed, where there are no borders between landscape and architecture, i. e. architecture has blended with the landscape and should be seen as a comprehensive whole. Keywords: architectural environment, natural surroundings, cultural landscape, Ancient villages of Northern Syria. Architecture as the art of space formation for human One more approach is based on the “concept of an activity is tightly connected with environment, and the latter active role of intellectual and spiritual activity in establishing has its origin in natural surroundings. To prove the above, a a cultural landscape” [2]. In this case it is emphasized that statement by Le Corbusier can be cited: “An area that consists the “cultural, spiritual and intellectual values that are kept of a space and unevenness of the ground, water surface, rocks and transferred from one generation to the other in the and sky, dressed in grass and forests, with various perspectives form of information not only determine the formation or an open even horizon is food for mind which is provided and development of the cultural landscape but are also its by our eyes to our sensual and emotional perception as well part, being at the same time influenced by other, material as our intellect. An area is the initial base for any architectural components of the landscape” [2]. This approach seems to composition” [1, 213–276]. At the same time Le Corbusier characterize the phenomenon of cultural landscape in the argues that an architectural structure must absorb the most comprehensive way. landscape and make it its integral part [1, 213–276]. Preservation of cultural heritage is the most important A historically created cultural landscape is a phenomenon role of cultural landscape. The development of the concept in which the boundaries between the landscape and architecture of cultural landscape in research practice is often connected are erased, i. e. architecture has blended with the landscape and with the UNESCO activity. formed a single unity with it. These relict landscape areas outside Cultural landscape as a heritage object was officially megalopolises play an important role in displaying harmonious acknowledged by the world community in 1972 and this notion relation between the human and environment. In view of the was included in the text of the main governing document on the pressing need to preserve the national heritage of Arab countries use of the World Heritage Convention: “Operational Guidelines the notion of the historical and cultural landscape as a specific for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention”. category of cultural heritage objects becomes crucial. In May 2009 this document was revised at the conference Cultural landscape is a historically balanced system in by experts of the countries that are UNESCO members (the which natural and cultural components form a harmonious author of the article is a member of the expert team). unity. They cannot be seen only as the background or In 2011 approximately 40 Ancient villages of Northern an influencing factor from one element of the system towards Syria were included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. the other [2]. There are different approaches to treating a This event was preceded by preparation works (Nomination File) cultural landscape. A cultural landscape is often defined as an that had lasted for almost 3 years, from 2007 to 2009 and had anthropogenic one, i. e. a landscape changed by the man but been carried out by a group of experts from Syria together with at the same time preserving certain aesthetic and functional qualified specialists from the UNESCO (the author of the article properties. The second approach is characterized by the was a technical director of the works). To solve the problem of definition of a cultural landscape as an area which for a long project development with view of including the Ancient Villages time was inhabited by a certain group of people who were the to the World Heritage List an international conference was held in carriers of some specific cultural values [2]. April 2008 under the guidance of a Syrian Ministry of Culture, 3 Section 1. Architecture DGA&M Syria with participation of the provinces of Aleppo The Ancient Villages area adjoins the Turkish borders and Idlib, as well as more than 20 UNESCO experts that had been and is hundreds of kilometers (140 to 165 km) long and working in those parts for more than 40 years, and the locals. The 60 to 80 km wide. They are a part of the Limestone Massif conference was essential for the completion of the project. The of Northern Syria that is situated in the valleys of Afrin and paramount aim of the project was to preserve the architectural Oronte in the West and Aleppo and Chalcis in the East. and archeological objects together with the landscape in order The ensemble creates a series of unique cultural landscapes not to lose their initial appearance. At the same time a territory that have preserved their authenticity because of the lack of for new construction works was defined in each park, where it any human activity for a thousand of years and due to the was possible to build something without destroying the historical absence of any restoration or reconstruction works in the and cultural landscape. 20th century. Picture 1. An opening view from Qirqbize Site — S. Ricca, 2007 The Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, grouped in including the landscape structures and village remains, illustrate eight parks, are situated in the North-Western part of Syria. the transition from the ancient pagan world of the Roman These villages existed in 1–7 centuries AD and the inhabitants Empire to Byzantine Christianity. The preserved fragments of left them in 8–10th centuries AD. A characteristic feature of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria show that their inhabitants this area is its well-preserved landscape with the architectural were skilled in agriculture. There are some remains of olive oil and monuments, including the remains of houses, pagan temples, wine production as well as mills. The rural lifestyle is proven by churches, cisterns, bathhouses, etc. Their cultural landscapes, markets, bazaars, sport facilities and dwellings. Picture 2. Church colonnade in Kharab Shams — F. Cristofoli, 2003. First of all, the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria and The yard provides the