Complex of Mirogoj in Zagreb, Croatia

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The Cemetery Complex of Mirogoj Map of Croatia with the epicentre of the earthquake On the early morning of 22 March 2020, right at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, during the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, an earthquake of a 5.5. magnitude hit the city of Zagreb. The last quake with such a devastating strength to hit the capital was in 1880.

The rescue efforts were hindered not only by the pandemic but by freezing temperatures and snow. More than 25,000 buildings were damaged of which 1,900 severely. Twenty-seven people were injured, and a young girl lost her life. On 29 December 2020, another earthquake hit Croatia with a magnitude of 6.4. Although Zagreb was not directly hit this time, there was still severe damage.

Most modern buildings in Zagreb have been constructed with earthquake-proof concrete and survived the heavy tremors without many problems. However, the city’s historic buildings were not so lucky. Walls and roofs collapsed. Churches and other monuments

suffered extensive damage. It is clear that Croatia’s monuments and cultural heritage sites need to be better protected from the devastating effects of these natural disasters, but how?

The Mirogoj Cemetery complex, a green oasis just north of the

Details of the structural damage to the buildings

city centre, was one of Zagreb’s heritage sites that fell victim to the earthquake’s destructive force. Entering the cemetery from the Herman Bollé Avenue, it feels like you are entering an ancient city. Domed towers and columned temples intersperse the ivy-covered walls. The harmonious, monumental cemetery was built between 1876 and 1929 in Neoclassical architecture, popular in the 19th century. Designed by German architect Herman Bollé, it is an excellent example of a multiconfessional funerary park constructed around

The damage to the roof of the Complex

Europe at the time. Many historical figures and Croatian personalities have been buried in Mirogoj, contributing to the site’s emotional significance. It is part of the European Cemeteries Route of the Council of Europe and the Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe.

The monumental tombstone of countess Vjekoslava The earthquake caused severe cracks in the walls and damaged the floors. Many architectural and decorative elements collapsed. The Ministry of Culture and Media of Croatia immediately intervened with emergency measures. However, the site’s structure has also been a victim of the incessant rain which has occurred in the past months. The COVID-19 pandemic further impeded damage assessment and ongoing conservation processes. The damage is so extensive that international cooperation seems the only viable option. Therefore, the Ministry successfully nominated the Cemetery Complex of Mirogoj to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2021.

The Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme noted: “This cemetery complex is a fine example of European Neoclassical architecture by a German architect inspired by Italian, Viennese and Prague counterparts. Besides its architectural and aesthetic values, the cemetery has important historical, social and emotional significance as the first multiconfessional public cemetery in Zagreb and as the resting place of numerous historical figures. The Ministry of Culture and Media of Croatia has taken the first crucial steps to protect the site. Still, international solidarity is greatly needed to rehabilitate the Cemetery Complex of Mirogoj.”

The European Investment Bank Institute contributes a €10,000 grant for a specific proposal for conservation works if the site is eligible and selected for the 7 Most Endangered. The Ministry of Culture and Media suggests using this grant to repair the monumental tombstone of countess Vjekoslava. It is one of the best sepulchral designs of the architect of the cemetery, Herman Bollé. It consists of an intricately ornamented sarcophagus, surrounded by a wrought iron fence, backed by a vertical mount with texts in Croatian and German, topped by a cross and a massive wreath. It is one of the most representative monuments of the cemetery. The earthquake caused severe damage; the cross collapsed, and the sarcophagus was cracked. Comprehensive and careful interventions are needed.

Croatian Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek assessing the damage of the earthquake The year 2020, unlike any other in recent memory, showed us true powers of human actions and nature’s response to them. Climate change has exacerbated the already vulnerable state of cultural heritage, while global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated the situation. Croatia has been reminded of this in a particularly painful manner, and on two different occasions, on 22 March and 29 December 2020.

The first one gravely damaged the capital of Zagreb and the surrounding area, while the second, even more forceful one, destroyed the nearby Sisak-Moslavina County and provoked additional devastation to Zagreb. Vast damage, and the long work to recovery ahead of us, are true testaments to the importance of risk management, its assessment and mitigation. That so many sites have been wounded, bringing about craving for culture and its rehabilitation, speaks of the value of cultural heritage and its potential for healing us during difficult times. Equally, precious support offered to Croatia by the international community conveys the significance of togetherness and learning from one another. Our past and identity oblige us to care for our tangible and intangible heritage sustainably and without hesitation – in respect of our ancestors and for the future of our descendants.

At 10 March, due to the war in Ukraine, Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank declared the rich and diverse heritage in Ukraine to be THE most endangered European heritage. On 29 March, the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites of 2022 were announced. Two of these endangered heritage sites are in South East Europe.

The Zogu Bridge (photo by Emarilda Leti) The Zogu Bridge in Albania is a masterpiece of civil engineering from the early 20th century in the Balkans. Built in 1927 over the Mat River in Northern Albania, the bridge is renowned for its architectural structure, its length and the style of its steel arches. It is considered an important achievement in the field of metal construction and concrete structures built over rivers in Southern Europe.

Designed by German and Swiss engineers, the construction of the bridge was implemented by the Albanian engineer Gjovalin Gjadri, using materials imported from Italy. Originally, it consisted of six arches but one of the arches was destroyed during the Second World War.

Despite its industrial heritage importance and the fact that the Zogu Bridge was declared

a Cultural Monument of first category by the National Institute for Cultural Heritage in Albania, the bridge has been poorly maintained and is in an advanced state of decay.

The nomination of the Zogu Bridge to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2022 was made by an individual member of Europa Nostra from Albania.

Băile Herculane are nestled between a deep mountain gorge and the river Cema in southwest Romania. The Baths are a striking monument in the thermal town of Băile Herculane, one of the oldest spa resorts in Europe. The first documented records of the town date back to 153 AD. Since then, the site has been under Roman, Hungarian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian reign.

The current structure of the Neptune Baths was constructed between 1883 and 1886. Designed in an eclectic style, the main Baths building has a large facade treated in exposed brick, partially finished with plaster and enriched with ornaments. At the time of the building’s construction, it was the most modern spa in Europe. Its medical treatment centre boasted renowned doctors as well as visits from the eminent personalities of the time. Among the most notable guests were members of the royal Habsburg family, including the Empress Elisabeth of Austria – known as Sissi – and the Emperor Franz Josef.

After the fall of communism in Romania in 1989, the historic resort of Băile Herculane, including the outstanding Neptune Baths, was abandoned and fell into decay with the damage accelerating from 2004 onwards. Despite being declared as a Class A monument in 1980, the Baths have suffered continuous further degradation, due to water infiltrations and poor interventions.

The nomination of the Neptune Baths to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2022 was made by the Locus Association, a Romanian NGO based in Timişoara.

Interior of the Neptune Baths (photo by Heiko Probst) Birdeye view of the Neptune Baths in Băile Herculane (photo by Petru Cojocaru)