ICOMOS Charter

ICOMOS CHARTER

Principles for the analysis, conservation and structural restoration of architectural heritage

Rosario Ceravolo (Politecnico di Torino)

The International Committee of Icomos for Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage has been established in accordance with article 14 of the Icomos Statutes and the Eger Principles for International Scientific Committees.
Icomos charter- principles for the analysis, conservation and structural restoration of architectural heritage (2003) was ratified by the Icomos 14th General Assembly, in Vicoria Falls, Zimbabwe, October 2003.

Structures of architectural heritage, by their very nature and history (material and assembly), present a number of challenges in diagnosis and restoration that limit the application of modern legal codes and building standards. Recommendations are desirable and necessary to both ensure rational methods of analysis and repair methods appropriate to the cultural context. These Recommendations are intended to be useful to all those involved in conservation and restoration problems, but cannot in anyway replace specific knowledge acquired from cultural and scientific texts. The Recommendations presented in the complete document are in two sections: Principles, where the basic concepts of conservation are presented; Guidelines, where the rules and methodology that a designer should follow are discussed. Only the Principles have the status of an approved/ratified ICOMOS document.