Demersuri privind protejarea patrimoniului construit al oraşului Sebeş: cazul Theobald Streitfeld (1961)
Efforts to Protect the Old Town Center in Sebeş. Theobald Streitfeld’s Contribution (1961)

Summary/Abstract: In the old town centre of Sebeş, one can notice the preservation of important historical and architectural monuments, the old network of roods, and the medieval divisions in the public space (the main square and the small square). All these characteristic features are representative for Sebeş as a medieval town. Town development dates from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, and it has often been accompanied by reconstructions, which have brought about the destruction of the old town centres. The first efforts towards preserving the historical city centres only begin in the second half of the 19th century. The industrial revolution prompts a process of change and systematisation in the older towns, which are regarded as no longer up to the requirements of modern lifestyles. Until then, the interest in the preservation of historical monuments was restricted to individual buildings. In 1931, the Chart of Athens was signed – the first international document to establish certain norms about historical restoration and to formulate a theory of the preservation of the character and specific of old town centres. UNO organized two important meetings (Stockholm, 1972 and Vancouver, 1976) and UNESCO started several programmes, followed by direct intervention, conventions and new legislation. Of considerable importance were the recommendations about archaeological research (New-Delhi, 1956), and the documents, which stipulated the principles and scientific, technical and juridical criteria applicable for the protection of the cultural heritage and historical sites (Paris, 1969). In 1964, the International Restoration Chart was adopted in Venice. In many European countries, measures were taken towards preserving and valorising the old town centres and other specific urban areas. In Romania, the law passed in 1955 concerning the protection of historical monuments made no explicit reference to ensembles of buildings with a historical and architectural value. Nevertheless, the category “architectural monuments” did include streets, squares and even old town centres, such as the one in Sighişoara. Although some efforts were made towards protecting architectural monuments and historical centres, the communist regime’s policy of destroying architectural (especially religious) monuments, apparently motivated by ideological reasons, caused considerable damage to the religions heritage. Architectural monuments with a non-religions destination were often equally vulnerable. In these circumstances, Theobald Streifeld, a teacher in Sebeş, sent in 1961 a memoir to the Department of Historical Monuments of the National Committee for Constructions, Architecture and Systematisation. Based on strong arguments, the memoir attempted to persuade the institution to renounce the project of “systematisation” of the old town centre.

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