funded by the European Economic Area and Valmiera City Municipality
Time Frame
May 2009 – April 2011.
Revitalisation of the Valmiera old city
Within the project a development of a recovery plan of Valmiera old town was created, which was implemented by SIA „Geo Consultants” from Rīga. Motto of the plan was “SOĻI” (In English: steps). The main ideas of the plan were related to making a view corridor to St. Simon`s church as a dominant of the Valmiera old city. The plan provided formation of a promenade along the banks of the Gauja and Rātsupīte rivers; gradual replacement of old trees against new in the territory; as well as to change the bridge railing and the visual image of the barrier to the use of original themes; placement of the centre square as an available place for people. In the plan were ideas about pedestrian tunnel under Lāčplēša street, as well as about conservation and improvement of castle ruins and about improvement and use of Zilais bastion and Ziloņu street.
Houses to restore
During the project two buildings of the Valmiera museum – a living house at Pilskalna 2 and a “Drying house” – were renovated. The restoration and renovation was began in September 2010. Architect–Ainars Markvarts. SIA “EKERS” realizes works. Both of the buildings are part of the museum`s complex. “Drying house” is made as a house for open-collection items, whereas the other house at Pilskalna street 2 is provided for educational programmes about herbal herbages, about making of clothes and about lifestyle of city dweller in 18th and 19th century. The rest of the house is used for museum holdings and for staff rooms.
Practice of craftsmen
Practice of craftsmen by the company of Randsfjord Museums in Dokka city in Norway in the project “Landscape along the River Gauja – Revitalisation of the Historical Centre of Valmiera”
16th – 25th of March 2010
Goals:
- To get acquainted with Norwegian experience in the restoration of wooden buildings, in the planning work and organization of the preservation of cultural heritage in Randsfjorddmuseene company in Lillehammer, as well as in open-air museum of Maihaugen and in the region of Oppland.
- To acquire specific knowledge and skills in the restoration work of wooden buildings in Norway for craftsmen of Ltd. “Valmiera namsaimnieks” (LV) and for profesionals of vocational secondary school of Ērgļi (LV).
- Raise the capacity of Ltd. municipality of “Valmiera namsaimnieks” of Valmiera municipality in the conservation of Valmiera wooden buildings, which are related to the history of civilization, as well as raise the capacity of profesionals from vocational secondary school of Ērgļi in the practice of wooden building restoration.
Main conclusion
- Prepared and realized programme of company Randsfjordmuseene with a goal to train Latvian craftsmen in a wooden building restoration provided to craftsmen an opportunity to learn both theoretical both practical knowledge. Craftsmen had a chance to listen to the specialists of heritage preservation – architects, restorers, object managers, other craftsmen, as well as to work under leadership of Norwegian professionals in special training workshops. During the programme craftsmen could comprehend the main differences between renovation and restoration of buildings. Often in the process of practice participants exchanged ideas and experience about methods and problem solutions of the work.
- The policy (also financial) of Norway and of local governments is very favourable to the preservation of cultural heritage. Architecture, environment and museums are grasped as an essential factor of an economic development of cities.
- A lot of museums have long history of their development, it defines a wealth of holding collections and uniqueness. Large funds are spent for the conservation and restoration of museum buildings.
The region of Oppland put the preservation of cultural heritage forward as one of the main priorities. Practice development of restoration profesionals is a part of the process. Norwegian party would like to develop a cooperation with Valmiera especially in the practice development of restorers and in the preservation of cultural heritage.