Do We Need a New Florence Charter? The Importance of Authenticity for the Maintenance of Historic Gardens and Other Historic Greenery Layouts in the Context of Source Research (Past) and Taking into Account the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Idea (Future)

Abstract

This year, 40 years have passed since the adoption of the basic document for the protection of historic gardens, i.e., the Florence Charter. During this time, its recommendations have been verified by both conservation and researchers’ actions, who in various environments discussed its meaning as well as its essential shortcomings. Some of the provisions of the Charter were criticized in the context of the effects of their use, especially those relating to the issue of historic gardens fundamental protection, namely to authenticity in its various scopes with particular emphasis on the use of source research which raises many reservations for conservation actions. Moreover, their excessively superficial interpretation, which was demonstrated by the example of the most popular plant used in regular gardens, namely boxwood. This article presents and analyzes the most important theses of these discussions and the main axes of the dispute, dividing them into two parts, i.e., the first relating to authenticity and the other to the use of sources. On this basis, it was necessary to extend these considerations to all kinds of historic greenery. Attention was also paid to the meaning and scope of authenticity which changed along with the expansion of the semantic field in relation to heritage. Furthermore, the fact that since the adoption of the Florence Charter, some of the aspects of authenticity indicated in the article have been included in other documents developed under the auspices of ICOMOS, but usually relating to the heritage as a whole, sometimes considered regionally. Appendices contain the most important doctrinal documents referring separately to authenticity, meaning, as well as types and the scope of the usage of sources. This article presents new contexts in which authenticity connected with climate change and the postulates of the development doctrine should be considered. Additionally, the article indicates the need to extend the conditions in which to start considering the historical greenery areas, which should be treated as an element of green infrastructure. The article also points to the use of new techniques and tools in research on authenticity. The summary indicated the necessity to continue the discussion on aspects of authenticity in relation to historic greenery layouts. Taking into account all the above aspects and at the same time meeting the ICOMOS “Journeys for Authenticity” initiative, As part of the conclusions from the analyzes carried out in the article, a model of procedure was proposed. It aims to bring us closer to the preparation of a new document recommending the protection of historic greenery, addressing both critical comments about the present Florence Charta, as well as new challenges and opportunities. This model is shown by means of a diagram. Part of it is a set of themes around which around which the debate on the new Florence Charter could be launched. They were assigned to four panels, i.e., I. Historic greenery as an element of heritage: II. Authenticity of historic greenery complexes in research and conservation strategies; III. Authenticity of historic greenery complexes and sustainable development; IV. New techniques and tools in research on the authenticity of historic greenery layouts.