Protection and Presentation of the Lepenski Vir Locality
The conceptual design project for the protection and presentation of the Lepenski Vir locality was completed at the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Serbia in collaboration with the National Museum in Belgrade and the National park Djerdap
Project designers: achitects Sinisa Temerinski and Marija Jovin
Links:
Protection
and Presentation of the Lepenski Vir Locality
Position
View of the Djerdap gorge in the vicinity of Lepenski Vir
The confinement of the river banks, the untamed
river flow through of the gorge, and difficult access from the mainland
(only through the tributaries, not very long in this area) presented favorable
conditions for the development and survival of a community of food gatherers
and hunters. These conditions also limited the influence that their way
of life exerted on neighboring communities - they limited the influence
of the culture of the people of Lepenski Vir on areas outside the gorge.
Lepenski Vir is the name of a small inlet on the right bank of the Danube,
at the foot of Kor{o hill, and of a large whirlpool, which once formed
there before the lake waters accumulated. On the opposite bank, the Treskavac
cliff rises from one of the riverside branches of the Carpathian mountain
range.
The area of the Lepenski Vir cultural and historical complex is now covered
by the highest degree of protection, implying special protective measures
for exceptional natural and cultural values. Together with the Boljetinska
reka and Bosman-Sokolovac reservation, it constitutes a unique complex
surrounded by a natural environment forming a second-degree protected
area.
Archaeology
Archaeological excavations that took place from 1965 to 1971, in the vicinity of the future accumulation of the Djerdap II hydroelectric power plant, revealed a prehistoric settlement on the Lepenski Vir locality.
View of Lepenski Vir locality at the time of excavation
This settlement was once the center of a unique
culture during one whole millenium (7000 - 6000 BC).
The remains of purposefully oriented dwellings, tools, weapons, jewelry,
hearths, altars and large sculptured rocks were discovered in seven successively
built settlements.
Sculptures found during excavation
Later on, settlements of the same type were discovered
on neighboring locations, but the unique discoveries in Lepenski Vir confirmed
the assumption that this was the center of a community with highly developed
economic and social relations. This community, known in archaeological
science as the Lepenski Vir culture, was the first in Europe to achieve
a singular architecture, with planned and organized communal areas, and
to artistically work cult objects.
The Lepenski Vir settlement was originally located on the river bank.
All the dwellings were oriented toward the river and had a free view of
the huge cliff on the opposite bank, over which the sun rose every morning.
Plan form of a Lepenski Vir dwelling
136 dwellings and places of worship were discovered, of circular pie-shaped plan form and with hearths, stone slabs, sacrificial altars, and monumental sculptures. The dwelling floors were covered with mortar composed of red stone rubble, sand and water. The roof structures were made of wood, probably covered with branches, wood bark, and/or animal skins.
State of the locality
During the early seventies, the settlement was transferred
and reconstructed out of reach of the lake waters, so that Lepenski Vir
today represents a unique monumental complex consisting of dislocated
living and worship quarters - a settlement of prehistoric people.
Reinforcement walls and footpaths were built around the selected area
in the shape of an irregular polygon (a copy of the archaeological excavation
site), and the transferred dwelling remains were protected by a temporary
wooden structure.
Prehistoric dwellings protected by a temporary wooden structure
After thirty years and two major repairs, this structure threatens to topple down on the locality because of its aged and worn out material.
Museum building and amphitheater beside the Lepenski Vir locality
A small museum building was erected for keeping
the movable archaeological objects and displaying the most important samples.
The movable objects - sculptures - are not displayed in their original
positions in the dwellings for safety reasons. A small stone amphitheater
for visitors was constructed next to the museum building.
Three houses, valuable samples of folk architecture from the submerged
village of Golubinje, were placed on a plateau beside the parking lot.
Village houses transferred from the submerged
village of Golubinje
The strictly protected natural reservation and surroundings
of this locality were partially devastated by the construction of a highway
passing nearby, because temporary quarters and concrete bases for the
construction teams were erected on parts of the reservation.
The Lepenski Vir locality today represents one of the most frequented
museums in the country, but there are still no adequate facilities for
receiving the tens of thousands of visitors who come here each year.
Organization of the protected area
A three-dimensional steel structure with a light transparent covering was designed above the locality. It was adapted to the shape and inclination of the terrain so it would not obtrude the landscape and not be aggressive to the adjoining protected areas during construction. The area beneath this structure is reserved for displaying the dwelling remains and mobile objects, as well as for holding lectures and presentations.
Protected area of the Lepenski Vir locality with planned
facilities: protective structure, visitors' area, research station
In order to accept the very large number of visitors to the Lepenski Vir Museum, the construction of tourist and hotel facilities and a parking lot, together with a presentation of samples of rare and now very endangered folk architecture, is planned on the devastated location. Due to the sensitivity of the natural surrounding, the project satisfies strict environmental safety conditions and a provides for a limited number of staying visitors.
The construction of an international scientific research center, including living quarters for researchers, is planned as part of the project for organizing the protected area because the Djerdap region, thanks to the special characteristics of its climate and soil composition, represents an area where numerous rare and relict plant species have survived to this day. The Center would be a base for observing and studying the development and security of the plant and animal world and climate, as well as the level of water pollution in the Djerdap region.
Protective structure
The protective structure was designed so as to maintain
the impression of a open-air settlement - by dematerializing the supports
and covering, keeping open all possible viewpoints, and allowing full
daylight access - while its shape conforms to the shape of the ground
on which the settlement is located. The roof structure design allows for
the placement of supports independent of the current situation, keeping
the archaeological locality fully intact. The structural system consists
of linear bar elements carrying the enclosed three-dimensional structure
with secondary linear bars along the curved sections. The areas beneath
the structure - the shape of the inherited locality presentation, amphitheater
and display areas - define the positioning of the main supports.
Plan form and view of the protective structure
over the Lepenski Vir locality
The semi-transparent covering (Lexan) lets daylight
pass, but keeps the ultraviolet rays from passing through, and also has
thermo-isolation properties. This covering goes over the curved part of
the roof, forming a facade facing the Danube. All the elements of the
protective bar structure, as well as the wall surfaces and supporting
walls, are white. Starting from the visitor assembly area in front of
the museum entrance, movement is unidirectional. The hall contains a ticket
office, souvenir shop, and entrance to an amphitheater with a multimedia
presentation. The existing and new footpath extensions will form display
areas for exhibiting movable findings, stone carvings, and bone material
and for presenting an ideal reconstruction of the Lepenski Vir habitat.
Visitors will be able to view the entire locality during the tour. From
the entrance up to the central platform, visitors will walk along footpaths
and ramps, while they will use stairways to go from the platform toward
the exit (handicapped persons will be able to tour the locality using
only ramps). A detailed reconstruction of the existing museum building
is planned, in order to provide working space for conservationists and
custodians and placement of monitoring and command points.
