Renovation Project of Cultural Heritage 13th Century Castle Chapel
“Use of existing research projects, Modern Technologies and Historical Trades in Conservation of
Stone Wall Ruins”,
Castle Chapel, Dundaga, Latvia
Stages 1, 2 – annual project
Medieval stone castles built in the 13th century in Latvia are of certain peculiarity. Their research in
the context of European Cultural Heritage has only recently started.
The fortification castle in Dundaga has remained in a very good condition. It is characteristic of its regular
planning. In the 16th century the castle was adjusted to a residence.
After the fire the walls of the castle chapel have been subjected to the influence of the atmosphere
for more than a hundred years.
The chapel is a small, but rather complicated object both theoretically and technically: the texture of the
plaster-free walls can serve as a source of interesting discoveries, thus requiring a specific approach during
the work.
The existing parts of the chapel walls are in danger of collapsing:
1) destruction of the walls is in dynamical progress,
2) the North wall of the chapel is in danger of collapsing as it has been built in technique of mixed
wall materials, therefore having a weaker structure,
3) the East wall has been built from whole boulders now causing a rapid destruction in this part.
EXPERIENCE – HALFWAY TO SUCCESS
We are searching for co-operation partners with theoretical and practical experience in preservation
and renovation of medieval castles.
Stages of work
Stage 1
Step 1 Research of the materials applied
Step 2 Conservation project workout based on the existing research.
Stage 2
Step 1 Conservation
Step 2 The project conception workout for the renovation of the chapel.
Stage 3 Renovation of the chapel.
The castle is a national monument, property of the local government, a popular tourist site.
Benefits
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Maintenance of the common European Cultural Heritage;
Completed complex of the castle building;
Possibility to apply the existing knowledge processing the wall ruins;
Systematic arrangement of discoveries;
Acquiring new experience in the process of practical work;
Training and practice opportunities for specialists, craftsmen, students, builders and the unemployed.
Co-ordinator of the project idea Velga Eizenberga
velga@dundaga.lv