State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II manière parcimonieuse et précise les ressources de la nature. ITALY Les Sassi de Matera et le Parc archéologique et naturel de la civilisation rupestre de la Gravina I Sassi di Matera répondent au critère d’authenticité aussi bien en ce qui concerne la conception que les matériaux Brief description utilisés. Ils sont protégés par la législation de l’Etat italien qui intéresse les centres historiques, par la This is the most outstanding, intact example of a loi spéciale pour les Sassi de Matera et par la loi troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, Régionale pour le parc archéologique et naturel. perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem. The Ces lois interdisent l’exploitation incontrôlée des first inhabited zone dates from the Palaeolithic, sols, la surélévation, la démolition et la while later settlements illustrate a number of reconstruction des bâtiments dans les zones significant stages in human history. Matera is in the protégées ainsi que la transformation du tissu southern region of Basilicata. urbain. Des sanctions administratives et pénales ont été prévues pour tout sujet qui devrait enfreindre la loi selon la normative de l'Etat italien. 1. Introduction La gestion est confiée à la Ville de Matera munie Year(s) of Inscription 1993 d'un bureau expressément créé pour les Sassi. Agency responsible for site management D'importantes associations de protection exercent leurs activités dans la ville de Matera, comme par • Municipality of Matera exemple la Scaletta qui s'occupe des Sassi et des Sassi Office Eglises rupestres ou encore, la Lega ambiente via Aldo Moro (Ligue pour l'Environnement) qui protège les sites 75100 Matera naturels. Basilicata, Italy E-mail: [email protected] As provided in ICOMOS/IUCN evaluation Website: www.comune.mt.it Qualities: The I Sassi quarter of Matera is the best surviving and most complete example of continuity 2. Statement of Significance in the Mediterranean region of this type of Inscription Criteria C (iii), (iv), (v) settlement, which developed in close harmony with the ecosystem. Justification provided by the State Party Additional comments [...] There also needs to be Les Sassi de Matera et le parc archéologique et vigilance in respect of the growth of the buffer zone naturel de la civilisation rupestre de la Gravina between I Sassi and the modern town of Matera, so représentent un témoignage unique de l’activité de as to avoid development that does not harmonize l’homme. Conformément à l’esprit de la convention with the ancient quarters. [...] du Patrimoine Mondial, la valeur exceptionnelle Another problem that needs careful attention is dérive de la symbiose tout particulièrement tourism, which should be controlled in accordance importante des caractéristiques culturelles et with a visitor management plan so as to avoid the naturelles. Ils répondent aux critères d’inscription type of development which has ruined the concernant les sites d’une part, œuvres conjuguées ambience of Alberobello and its unique trulli. de l’homme et de la nature qui offrent un témoignage unique d’une civilisation disparue Recommendation: That this property be inscribed (critère (iii)) et d’autre part, exemples éminents d’un on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria habitat humain traditionnel représentatif d’une (iii), (iv), and (v): culture devenue vulnérable en raison des effets des Criterion (iii) Matera's I Sassi and park represent an mutations irréversibles (critère V). Les Sassi de outstanding example of a rock-cut settlement, Matera et le Parc archéologique et naturel de la adapted perfectly to its geomorphologic setting and civilisation rupestre de la Gravina offrent un its ecosystem and exhibiting continuity over more itinéraire dans le temps à travers tous les âges de than two millennia. l’humanité et constituent le document architectonique d’une histoire unique: la capacité Criterion (iv) The town and park constitute an de créer un milieu adapté à la vie en gérant de outstanding example of an architectural ensemble State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II and landscape illustrating a number of significant archaeological, historical, natural park of Rock stages in human history. Churches”. Legislative Decree “Cultural Heritage and Landscape code” is enforceable Criterion (v) The town and park represent an on all artistic, historical, archaeological and outstanding example of a traditional human monumental heritage and on areas of settlement and land-use showing the evolution of a landscape and natural interest on the site culture which has maintained over time a • Over 60% of the real estate belonging to the harmonious relationship with its natural Sassi Quarters is the property of the Italian environment. Government and therefore protected by Legislative Decree. In 1998 the procedures to Committee Decision transfer these real estate in concession to the Bureau (June 1993): The Bureau reminded the Local Government of Matera for 99 years was competent Italian authorities that the on-going completed. The Municipality of Matera can restoration and rehabilitation work at Matera should also transfer them in concession through be in conformity with international standards of 30year agreements to private individuals and/or conservation (Venice Charter) and requested them organisations and associations that request to propose a shorter and more explicit name for this them and agree to bear the restoration property. expenses through the benefit of rent reduction. At the present about 30% of the state Session (1993): The Committee inscribed the site properties available have been transferred in on the World Heritage List under criteria (iii), (iv) sub-concession from the local government and (v). • The protection arrangements are considered sufficiently effective • Statement of significance adequately defines the outstanding universal value of the site Actions taken/proposed: • Change proposed by State Party for the name • Declaration of Cultural interest, which identifies of the site: I Sassi e il Parko delle Chiese all the buildings of which the same regulation is Rupestri di Matera enforceable on all state properties Boundaries and Buffer Zone • Status of boundaries of the site: adequate 4. Management • Buffer zone: adequate Use of site/property Status of Authenticity/Integrity • Visitor attraction, urban centre, religious use, • World Heritage site values have been rural landscape, regional park maintained • Entrance fee only with regard to some historical • The work involved in the rehabilitation has monumental complexes of remarkable certainly changed the visual perception of the importance whole complex without however modifying the substantial authenticity of the entire site Management /Administrative Body • Steering group: during the drawing up of the management plan a coordinating core will be 3. Protection established to direct the development of the site • Management under protective legislation; under Legislative and Administrative Arrangements traditional protective measures or customary • The whole site’s area is protected by general law; consensual management Italian Laws enforceable throughout the Levels of public authority who are primarily national territory as well as laws specifically • involved with the management of the site: drawn up and exclusively enforceable on the site. As far as the zone of the Sassi Quarters is national; regional; local concerned, the enforceable law aims at the • The current management system is sufficiently “preservation and architectonic, urban, effective environmental and economic restructuring of the Sassi Quarters of Matera and the protection Actions proposed: of the overlooking Murgia Plateau”. With • Improving promotion and communication regards to the Park, the enforceable Regional law for the “Establishment of the State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II 5. Management Plan 8. Sources of Expertise and Training in Conservation and Management • Management plan is being implemented; Implementation commenced: 12/1988 Techniques • Currently revised: 12/2005 • Post-degree School of specialisation in • The conservation and rehabilitation works in the archaeology; degree course in “Operator of Sassi Quarters are regulated by the “biennial Cultural Heritage” at the Arts and Philosophy programmes of implementation” established faculty of the University of Basilicata. Museums; under Law. It is to be expected that an “Action Soprintendenze (Superintendence) of the Plan” for the entire site will be drawn up on the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities; basis of the UNESCO’s guidelines and “Zetema” foundation for the study, research and MiBAC’s methods enhancement and management of historical • Management Plan to be completed and and environmental heritage adopted: 12/2006 • Training needs: it would be opportune to train • Adequate skilled personnel specialised in territorial • Responsibility for over-seeing the information systems (g.i.s.) to proceed towards implementation of the management plan and a more efficient and flexible management of the monitoring its effectiveness: The Biennial volume of the data concerning the knowledge Programmes and the General Restructure Plan and management of the site’s territory have been developed by the Sassi Office with • Training available for stakeholders the professional advice of external consultants; the Plan for the Park has been developed