Assessment on the condition of forts and territories of Kaunas fortress

Abstract

For the safeguarding of the security of towns (and at the same time of the entire country) protective equipment was used to be built. The Kaunas Fortress complex, which was constructed at the end of IXth and at the beginning of XXth centuries, was the largest defensive structure of the firing ground-type, the main constructions of which were forts. The territories of remaining forts are located not only in the town but in the suburban localities as well. The objects occupying large areas are the significant part of the landscape structure. Though the Article 2 of the Law on Protection of Immovable Cultural Property (Lietuvos..., 1994) provides the requirement to guarantee “protection, increase and transfer of Lithuanian cultural heritage to future generations”, a number of forts of Kaunas fortress that are included into the Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage is under the veil of mystery: objects are neglected, devastated and dangerous for the society. Around 78 per cent of Kaunas forts are in unsatisfactory condition and about 22 per cent of them are in satisfactory and good state. This problem downgrades the image of the city in the context of tourism and foreign investments. The European Union has established support of structural funds for development of cultural heritage; however, Lithuania prepares only few projects to attract such funds. In the territories of five forts two intersecting objects of the immovable cultural heritage and nature protection objects are being protected. Conservation regulations of these objects can’t be inter-coordinated. The article analyses the issues of protection and management of nine forts of Kaunas stronghold and their territories and experience of foreign countries in regard to management of similar objects. The analysis of current state has been also performed and the perspectives on management and use of the analysed objects and their territories have been determined. [...]