ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI
LAB. OF BUILDING MATERIALS
PROJECT: EC FORTMED
MONUMENT: CASTLE OF SERVIA
SUBJECT: INTEGRAL CONSERVATION AND
VALORIZATION
OF
THE
BYZANTINE
CASTLE OF SERVIA ( Revised and extended )1
Prepared by: K. Theocharidou, Dr Architect- Conservator

New additions in the text are marked in italics
INTEGRAL CONSERVATION AND VALORIZATION OF THE BYZANTINE
CASTLE OF SERVIA ( Revised and extended )1
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 (fig.1-2). 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 are also necessary for the valorization of the natural site.
B) Improvement and valorization of the historical site
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New additions in the text are marked in italics
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 are standing in considerable height, scattered among the trees,
though their correlation and continuation is invisible now (see revised Pl. 1, and fig.
5-6).
An 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 revised Pl. 2).
At a first stage it is proposed 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 ( see revised Pl. 3).
At this stage revealing the line of the walls of the inner enclosure is considered the
first priority, since this will visualize a major part of the general plan of the medieval
fortified town. In the same program a complete excavation and necessary restoration
works at the site of the Gate of the outer enclosure should be included(see revised Pl!,
n. 1). The Gate is a very distinctive point for the image of a castle and marks the
starting point of the visiting tour.
Next priority is the excavation of the acropolis, where usually in medieval cities were
located the governor’s residence and the barracks of his garrison. From this point of
view the acropolis is the most important and promising area, because of the valuable
archaeological information that will provide regarding the administrative structure of
the city, the system of its ultimate defense, ect. The amount of the already visible
ruins in the acropolis indicate the existence of a considerable number of buildings
within its walls, a fact that will possibly make necessary a full excavation of the entire
area.
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 some
sections of the outer walls are lost for ever (see revised Pl. 3 ).
At the same stage it is proposed to carry out excavation and conservation works at the
site of some characteristic buildings at the lower part of the city, such as churches,
chapels, public baths (see revised Pl. 1, n. 6,7,8,9,10,11). These buildings apart from
their archaeological and architectural importance represent basic elements of the
urban site, which are closely related with different aspects of the medieval urban life.
In this respect they are very important sites for the visiting tour at the castle.
For the purposes of the above described program it will be necessary to cut some
trees, only those on the ruins and the close vicinity at a small distance no more that
five meters from the wall’s facades (see revised Pl. 3). 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 do 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 pl. 4). The better
preserved tower n. I, standing almost in full 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 (see Pl. 4)
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 of the castle site and ruins
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 is recommended to
preserve this limited parking facilities only for people with walking difficulties who
want to visit the ruins of the Byzantine basilica ( see revised Pl 3, position P2).
For the rest visitors a main parking area is proposed near the restaurants at the
beginning of the newly constructed pedestrian walk (see revised Pl.3, position P0)
and a second one at the close vicinity of the Gate of the outer enclosure, which is the
starting point of the visiting tour (see revised Pl 3, position P1).
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 a kiosk providing information introducing both to the historical
and natural background of the site (see revised Pl 3, position J4).
Visitors’ paths in the forest are proposed to be formulated in a very respectful way,
regarding both the historical and natural component of the site; simply of condensed
soil with corps of trees for the construction of steps ( see Pl. 5, Construction of the
visitors’ paths in the forest).
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 parts of the
walls and buildings of the medieval town as well as to selected rest areas with a nice
view.
iii On site historical information
The Philosophy of the present proposal is to provide on site global historical
information concerning the castle and its era, offering an integral image of a
Byzantine fortified city; the urban and social structure, the defense system, the every
day life and production.
In this respect the effort is to offer historical information at different characteristic
points of the site in a way connecting the particular architectural remains to the
relevant aspects of byzantine life and civilization, as well as to special historical
events known from the byzantine written sources (i.e the siege of the castle) or the
later medieval descriptions of the city. This net of specialized information related to
the particular remains, gates, towers, churches, houses, public baths, cisterns, will be
progressively enriched following the new archaeological discoveries from
excavations. In order to make the information attractive and perceptible to the public
drawings, graphical reconstruction and photographs will be used.
But in addition to the particular points mentioned before, it is considered fundamental
to arrange a small central exhibition within the historical site presenting in an
comprehensible and educational way the general structure of the byzantine town and
society; using maps, drawings of different types of buildings
and fortifications,
representations of weapons, warriors and typical members of the different social
classes at the byzantine period visitors will be enabled to reconstruct, at a certain
degree, in their minds the atmosphere of the medieval times.
A second small thematic exhibition on military matters and defense is proposed to be
arranged in a characteristic space, such as in a tower of the acropolis.
At a first stage it is suggested to arrange five positions as main stops in the visiting
rout, with the necessary on site installations for the presentation of the special in each
case information (see revised Pl.3, points J1-5).
a) Position J1. The Gate
The first characteristic remains of the Byzantine fortification on the visitor’s way
from the modern town up to the castle are the ruins of the Gate of the lower
enclosure.
Unfortunately this important element, which marks the entrance to the medieval city,
survives in a poor state of preservation and cannot offer the strong impression the
visitor is expecting for the case. Furthermore the gate stands today isolated, in a way
that makes difficult the visitor to understand its connection to the few and in a far
distance surviving fragments of the curtain walls.
To overcome these weaknesses suitable on site information is required in the form of
maps and realistic drawings together with a short text connecting the site with
historic events, set in one or two information boards. The necessary elements to be
included are:
-
the Plan of the castle with indication of the principle parts and buildings in it, as
well as the grid of the visitors’ paths.
-
graphical representations of the complete original form of the Gate and the
adjacent walls.
-
A note about the housed quarters existing outside the city walls in the Byzantine
period and the role their inhabitants played during the siege of the castle in 1350
by the emperor Kantacousinos, as referred in the medieval written sources.
b) Position J2. Basilica of St Demetrius
At this large 11th century basilica, which is possibly the Cathedral of the Byzantine
city and the best preserved building in the castle, a small open air display on the
monument’s history can be arranged by the ruin or inside it.
The display is suggested to include the following thematic units:
-
the architecture of the basilica ( plan and graphical representation of its original
form) and the structural history of the building ( modifications, repairs ect).
-
the wall paintings ( drawings with their position in the monument, comments
from the view point of the history of Byzantine Art).
-
the restoration of the monument and the new archaeological discoveries
(photographs, notes on technical matters).
c) Position J3. Rest area by the basilica.
This position is chosen for information related to matters of topography, because it
offers a magnificent view of the valley, the ravines and the mountains which surround
the castle. In this respect it is a very good point for explaining the strategic reasons
that lead to the erection of the fortified city and the role it was playing in the general
system of defense of Byzantine Macedonia.
A general map of the wider region of western Macedonia with the known Byzantine
castles and the usual routs of invasions should be displayed on site.
d) Position J4. Kiosk of the main historical display
The main exhibition on the byzantine castle and town is proposed to be organized in
an open kiosk made of light timber structure, which will be built at the center of a rest
area by the main road inside the inner enclosure. This position, a little plain free of
trees, is the most suitable for the purpose because it offers a direct view of the
impressive west side of the acropolis walls and towers, together with sections of the
near by inner walls.
The synoptic global presentation of the castle and the medieval town will use the four
out of the six exhibition panels in the kiosk and will include the following thematic
units:
-
history of the castle ( historical diagram of main events)
-
urban topography and image of the town ( location of local civil and
ecclesiastical authorities, public facilities, water supply system, description and
graphical representation of houses).
-
social structure ( description and figurative presentation of typical representatives
of the different classes based on our general knowledge on medieval society).
-
Public activities, crafts, products, trade ( from medieval written sources and
description of the town ).
e) Position J5. West tower of Acropolis
The west tower of the Acropolis, which is decided to be partially restored for
consolidation reasons (see Pl. 4, restoration project), is the ideal place to organize
the second thematic exhibition on matters of defense, warriors and weapons.
The display can occupy the interior of the unroofed first floor and will be based on the
information collected in the special chapter of this project (see Pl. Theocharides,
Defense).
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. Picnic
facilities have been foreseen at the wooded hill of the castle (see Pl. 6).
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. Two panels out of the six in the
central kiosk (with the historical exhibition) will be devoted to an introduction on
special features of the natural environment.
In addition to on site information but it is suggested 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.