INTEGRAL CONSERVATION AND VALORIZATION OF THE BYZANTINE
CASTLE OF SERVIA
A) Principles and proposed measures
The ruins of the Byzantine castle and town occupy the south and west slop of a steep
hill, overlooking the modern town of Servia and the plain where the artificial Ostrovou
lake has been created (lig.l-2). The hill is surrounded by three ravines, which present
some impressive rock formulations, and wooded mountains at the opposite sides (fig.
3-4).
Until the second world war the hill was a dry rocky site, but the following decades the
area was planted with pine trees in order to stop the ground to be eroded and washed
away. Today the area appears as small forest containing scattered ruins of the
Byzantine town and castle.
A basic principle of the philosophy governing our proposals regarding the integral
conservation of the castle is that the historical and the natural environment is
considered as a unity and as such has to be protected.
From this view point the presence of the wood on the hill is desirable as a part of the
natural and historic site and has to be preserved. The trees, of course, must have
caused extensive damage to the historical ruins, but since this damage is a now a fact
and the historical site is not expected ever to be fully excavated, it seems more
sensitive and desirable to plan our interventions taking into consideration the
coexistence of the ruins and the forest.
A valorization of the historical site requires improvement of the castle's legibility and
accessibility, as well as provision of adequate historical information, in an attractive
and educational way.
Improvement of accessibility, visitors facilities, provision of relevant information and
potential attractions we also necessary for the valorization of the natural site.
B) Improvement and valorization of the historical site
i.
Legibility of the historical remains
In its present state of preservation the castle is very hard to be recognized as a fortified
Byzantine city. Only the area of the acropolis is identifiable, while the two lower
fortified enclosures described in the medieval written sources are not discernible to the
modern visitor. Limited sections of the curtain walls belonging to the inner enclosure
arc standing in considerable height, scattered among the trees, though their correlation
and continuation is invisible now (see p1. 1 and fig. 5-6).
A careful investigation on site undertaken for the needs of the present project has
identified, under superficial earth-fillings and vegetation, the line of the walls almost
at the entire length of the inner fortified enclosure, including curtain wall and towers
see p1. 2).
It then proposed, at a first stage, to reveal by excavation the walls of the inner
enclosure, together with some areas in the acropolis and the upper part of the medieval
town which seem to cover important buildings.
At a second stage the outer north wall and some well identified sections of the lower
fortified enclosure can be excavated, in order to make comprehensible to the visitors
the size and partially the lay out of the Byzantine city, since it seems that sonic
sections of the outer walls are lost for ever.
For this purpose it is necessary to cut the trees on the ruins and the close vicinity, at a
small distance no more that five meters from the wall's facades. Our intention,
according to the basic principle mentioned at the beginning is to make the architectural
remains visible and prevent their further damage, preserving at the same time the
appearance of the natural environment of the wooded hill.
Conservation works should start soon after the ruins will be exposed, and will follow
the principles and methods described in the relevant chapter of this project.
Restoration does not aim to full, though doubtful, reconstruction but should rather be
eliminated to serve consolidation and conservation purposes, as well as improvement
of the castle's legibility at a basic level.
For this reason restoration should not proceed further than the necessary degree that
enables visitors to understand the continuation of the fortification and its main
characteristics. Very low ruins have to be given a substantial height by reconstructing
a sacrificial zone which will provide protection against weathering and, at the same
time, a better comprehension of the form of the castle. New reconstruction will be
distinguished from the original parts of the walls by means of clear boundaries
between the new and old masonry. These boundaries can be created by the
incorporation of lead or bronze ribs at the edge of the surviving walls, or by the
creation of an obviously wider and deeper mortar joint between the two parts.
In few cases where we are dealing with recent damage and there is adequate evidence
of the original structure, due to old photographs and drawings, restoration can be more
drastic serving both, consolidation and educational presentation. This is the case of the
two rectangular towers of the south wall of the acropolis (see p1. 4). The better
preserved tower n. I, standing almost in kill height at its south side, has been totally
detached from the curtain wall due to the destruction of the lateral east and west sides
and there is a high risk of collapsing. For consolidation reasons it is absolutely
necessary to provide a link of the free standing south wall of the tower to the existing
curtain wall, at least up the mid-height of the free standing structure. By partially
reconstructing the lateral sides of the tower, in an unfinished form of buttresses which
harmonized with the ruinous appearance of the acropolis, and the timber floor of the
second story the tower obtains an identifiable open inner space, which enables visitors
to reconstruct mentally its original form in full height. The same type of reconstruction
is recommended for the neighboring tower n. II, of which a great part of the east wall
has collapsed some years ago, together with the structure of an elaborated brick work
around a characteristic window.
ii. Accessibility and historical information
Today visitors can reach the castle by car as far as the site of the basilica, where there
is a small parking area (enough only for 3-4 cars). In the future it recommended to
preserve this limited park mg facilities only for people with walking difficulties, which
wont to visit the ruins of the Byzantine basilica. For the rest visitors a parking area is
proposed near the restaurants at the beginning of the newly constructed pedestrian
walk. The present road (with simple soil as finishing) as far as the foot of the
acropolis, is proposed to be covered with natural stones at the same way as the main
pedestrian walk and terminate at a point lower than its present end, where there is a
natural plato offering a nice general view. At this plato it is proposed to organize the
central resting area for visitors, with kiosks providing information introducing both to
the historical and natural background of the site.
Visitors' paths in the forest are proposed to be formulated in a very respectful way,
regard mg both the historical and natural component of the site, simply condensed soil
with corps of trees for the construction of steps. Our intention is to investigate, and if
possible, reveal the ancient road system of the medieval town, at a final stage, in order
to be used by the visitors. Paths are planed to serve the exploration of the castle and
the forest, leading to important pai4s of the walls and buildings of the medieval town
as well as to selected rest areas with a nice view.
Specialized historical information will be provided at characteristic parts of the walls,
using drawings, photographs etc. set at information boards of the usual type, combined
with kiosks and rest areas. In special points, as in the case of the acropolis tower n. I to
be restored, small open exhibitions are proposed to be organized, taking advantage of
the significance of the archaeological remains for an educational presentation of
different aspects of the defence system, armory etc. of the Byzantine period.
C). Improvement and valorization of the natural site
For the lovers of nature the area has to offer opportunities of long walking in woods,
observation of wild life (birds, small animals and rare plants) and interesting
geological formulations.
The forest on the hill is a favorite place for picnic for the local population and can also
serve as a starting point for the exploration of the neighboring forests. For people that
are not interested in climbing, and mainly for children, its useful to create at the lower,
destroyed area of the castle, a small botanical garden specialized in the rare local
vegetation. This garden could also cover needs for seminars on environmental
education for local schools and can be combined with the creation of shelters for small
animals and birds, or even provision of some simple attractions for such creatures (as
chestnut- trees for squirrels that are often in the area).
Relevant information about the natural environment will be provided on site using
information boars and small information kiosks, but it is also necessary to organize an
information center, preferably in a restored historical building at the main square of the
modern town, where visitors could find all the necessary information about the
historical and natural attractions of the area, together with the offered touring facilities.