ELAICH - Educational Linkage Approach in Cultural Heritage. For more information and presentations, please visit: http://elaich.technion.ac.il/ Protection and rehabilitation of historic city of Acre

1. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Educational Toolkit
Teaching Material
Basic Course
Module 6 Management and Use
Topic 6.5 Protection and rehabilitation of historic city of Acre
Dr. Anna Lobovikov-Katz - Technion Israel Institute of Technology

2. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
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Dr. Anna Lobovikov-Katz - Technion Israel Institute of Technology

3. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Abstract The current presentation is an overview of the general approach to protecting the cultural
heritage of the World Heritage City of Acre and basic steps undertaken for its protection,
conservation and development. These consist of understanding buildings in acre,
diagnosing its archaeological sites and historic buildings, understanding the structural
system of buildings in Acre, classifying historic buildings in Acre, studying changes in the
buildings throughout their lifetime and causes of decay, and providing conservation
interventions with subsequent evaluation of results.
Dr. Anna Lobovikov-Katz - Technion Israel Institute of Technology

4. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Content
Table of contents of this presentation
The General Approach to Protecting the Cultural Heritage of Acre 6.5.1
Understanding Buildings in Acre 6.5.2
Diagnosing Archaeological Sites and Historic Buildings in Acre 6.5.3
Understanding the Structural System of Buildings in Acre 6.5.4
Classifying Historic Buildings in Acre 6.5.5
Changes in the Acre Buildings throughout their Lifetime 6.5.6
Causes of Decay of Buildings in Acre 6.5.7
Intervening in the Acre Buildings 6.5.8
Dr. Anna Lobovikov-Katz - Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Shelley-Anne Peleg – Israel Antiquities Authority

5. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Acre – General Background
Acre is situated on a peninsula, on
the northern coast of Israel. Twice
in its history, Acre became an
international city - in the thirteenth
century, as the crusader capital city
of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem
and in the nineteenth century,
under El-Jazzar Pasha ,the Ottoman
ruler. Despite the many years that
have passed, authentic
archaeological and historical
evidence from these two periods
still remain in the city. It is within
these remains, that modern life
continues to this day.
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 5

6. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.1 The General Approach to Protecting the
Cultural Heritage of Acre
Protection of the Cultural Heritage in Legal Means:
Akko includes legal means and – The Old City is protected by the Israeli
Antiquities Law (1978)
public awareness.
– The Master Plan designating development
procedures for the city (1994)
– The Conservation Appendix, authorized as
part of the Master Plan – states degrees of
conservation for all 1000 buildings in the
city, the establishment of a conservation
committee to authorize building additions
and conservation inspection. (1997)
– Acre declared a World Heritage Site state
the Israeli obligation to preserve the
cultural heritage of Acre to the
international community (2001)
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 6

7. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.2 Understanding Buildings in Acre
Initial stage - Urban Survey of all buildings in Second stage – includes a full documentation
Akko include basic information about each file for each building:
building
• General data
• Legal information
• Historic and cultural background
• Documentation of existing condition
• Documentation of architectural details
• Analysis of developments and stages
• Evaluation
• Recommendations
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 7

8. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.3 Diagnosing Archaeological Sites and
• Sources include:
Historic Buildings in Acre
14th century map of Acre
– Historic evidence (can include
maps, diaries, pictures and
drawings)
– Analysis of current physical
condition
• Managing the Documentation
includes:
– Multi documentation team and 17th Century drawing of the Citadel
regular overseeing of the
procedures
– Planning Recommendations for
future building to reduce harm to
sites and to emphasize the values
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 8

9. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.4 Understanding the Structural System of
Buildings in Acre
The Wall and its relationship to the
Stages : urban surroundings in: 1909 and in 1946
1. Understanding the urban development
and the relationship of the site to it
2. Understanding the current relationship
of the site to its surrounding
3. Understanding specific terminology for
the structure (e.g – in the example of the
wall, terminology of fortifications)
4. Understanding the Architecture and
Technology
Understanding the historic development
of the site
5. Connecting the historic development to
the viewed physical development stages
of the building
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 9

10. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.5 Classifying Historic Buildings in Acre
• According to Criteria's:
– Aesthetic
– Historic
– Social
– Scientific
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 10

11. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.6 Changes in the Acre Buildings
throughout their Lifetime
• Building additions
• Alterations
• Decay
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 11

12. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.7 Causes of Decay of Buildings in Acre
Ottoman Walls of Acre
• Neglecting
• Vandalism
• Improper use
• Absence of proper maintenance
• Trash dumping
• Unauthorized building additions
• Improper materials
• Vegetations
• Reduction of buildings strength
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority Authority
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities 12

13. Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
2.1.8 Intervening in the Acre Buildings
Steps:
• Removal of modern additions
• Stabilizing the structure
• Conservation:
– Initial Cleaning
– Removal of vegetation (if exists)
– Cleaning stone joints of cement
– Pointing (addition of mortar to stone joints)
– Completing missing or damaged stonework
– Stabilizing outer faces of the walls and cracks
– Stabilizing plaster edges
– Grouting voids in the core of the walls (injecting
mortar into the core of the wall)
– Adding drainage at needed places
– Removing broken stones and replacing them
– Rebuilding missing parts
Shelley-Anne Peleg - Israel Antiquities Authority 13