Horler Miklós munkássága
The work of Miklós Horler

Author(s): Pál Lővei
Subject(s): Museology & Heritage Studies, Architecture
Published by: Pécsi Tudományegyetem Művészeti Kar Művészettörténet Tanszék
Keywords: monument preservation; heritage protection; Horler Miklós; architectural restoration; Budapest monuments; Lapidarium Hungaricum; Venice Charter; conservation theory; Hungarian architecture; interdisciplinary research
Summary/Abstract: The study presents the life and professional legacy of Horler Miklós, emphasizing his major contributions to Hungarian monument preservation and restoration. It highlights his exceptional ability to think systematically and his commitment to creating coherent institutional and legal frameworks for heritage protection. The article explains his central role in preparing the Hungarian monument protection law drafted in 1989 and discusses how later political changes weakened these efforts. It also examines his pioneering work in monument topography, especially the influential volumes on the monuments of Budapest and the monograph on Szentendre. Horler played a decisive role in modern restoration theory by promoting the integration of modern architecture into historical environments in postwar Budapest. The study describes his leadership in the development of the Lapidarium Hungaricum program, which catalogued medieval architectural stone fragments throughout Hungary. It further explores his support for interdisciplinary research, including geological and scientific analyses of historical building materials and medieval stone carvings. The article underlines his international importance through his participation in drafting the Venice Charter and his long-standing involvement in ICOMOS and UNESCO heritage activities. Horler was also an influential teacher, researcher, editor, and author whose publications shaped generations of architects, art historians, and conservation specialists. Overall, the study portrays him as one of the most significant and intellectually versatile figures of twentieth-century Hungarian monument preservation.

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