Preservation of cultural heritage sites (historical monuments, cultural and listed buildings)

Throughout its history, NIIOSP has been dealing with the issues of the cultural heritage sites and listed buildings preservation.

As stipulated by Article 45 of Part 3, Section VII of the Russian Federation Federal Act No. 73-FZ dd. June 25, 2002 (on Cultural Heritage Sites (historical and cultural landmarks) of the Peoples of the Russian federation), carrying out the work related to preservation of the heritage sites may be assigned to legal entities and individuals rightfully licensed for the performance of such type work in view of the cultural heritage sites rehabilitation (historical monuments and listed buildings).

Preservation of cultural heritage sites (Article 40, Section VII of the RF Federal Act No. 73-FZ dd. June 25, 2002) is defined as a set of renovation and restoration activities ensuring the physical security of a cultural heritage site and including but not limited to the site conservation, monument or architectural ensemble repair and restoration activities, cultural heritage site adaptation for modern use as well as scientific research, surveying, design and mechanized activities, methodological guidance, technical and author’s supervision.

As of 1936 NIIOSP have been actively contributing to the preservation of the churches and cathedrals within the Moscow Kremlin grounds. The Institute has elaborated and carried out the scope of settlement stabilization activities for the Twelve Apostles Cathedral, Church of Lord’s Robe Deposition and the Assumption Cathedral.

Recommendations on integrity were produced in line with their application for the Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals, and soil improvement and foundation strengthening designs for Ivan the Great Belfry and the Tsar Bell.

With an active participation of the NIIOSP specialists and using the related in-house engineering elaborations, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, the Red Square Torgovye Ryady, Moscow Manezh were reconstructed, and foundations underpinning was carried out for the State Historical Museum, Vernadsky Geological Museum and Moscow State University old building in Mokhovaya Ulitsa. The framework stability-related activities were performed for Peter and Paul Cathedral in Solyanka, and on average a great number of other Moscow churches and cathedrals underwent the required rehabilitation.

Apart from that, foundation underpinning for a number of churches and other structures took place in Spaso-Eleazarovsky Convent in Pskov Region, Trinity Odigitrievsky Convent in Zosimova Pustyn, and the Hannibals-Pushkins Necropolis in Pushkinskie Gory in Pskov Region. Likewise one of the Novgorod Kremlin walls was restored after its collapse.

The Institute professional divisions can provide the services to assure preservation of the cultural heritage sites (historical monuments, cultural and listed buildings) in the following scope:

• Engineering conditions of the load-bearing structures and soil bases testing
• Long-term monitoring of the foundation settlements applying high-precision geodetic techniques to ensure the historical sites preservation
• Soil bases and foundations underpinning to stabilize possible settlements
• Superstructures reinforcement

Experience of many years and constant occupational enhancement of the NIIOSP specialists allows for quality and efficient performance of the most complex engagements.