1931 – The Athens Charter
Recognition of a need for a scientific approach to preserve and protect historic monuments.
The Athens Charter, was adopted at the First International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments in 1931. The Athens Charter was the first instance in heritage conservation theory, of an acknowledgement that the site – the landscape of the monument – was an important part of the heritage deserving protection: “7. Attention should be given to the protection of areas surrounding historic sites” (Athens Charter 1931). However, the extended recommendation made it clear that landscapes were seen as just a backdrop to the main feature of the heritage monument:
“III. Aesthetic Enhancement of Ancient Monuments
The Conference recommends that, in the construction of buildings, the character and external aspect of the cities in which they are to be erected should be respected, especially in the neighbourhood of ancient monuments, where the surroundings should be given special consideration. Even certain groupings and certain particularly picturesque perspective treatment should be preserved.
A study should also be made of the ornamental vegetation most suited to certain monuments or groups of monuments from the point of view of preserving their ancient character….”
