Renovation underway for Vincke's grave in Fleyer Forest
Restoring the Historic Vincke-Grabanlage in Hagen, Germany
The Vincke-Grabanlage, a protected heritage site enclosed by a high brick wall and accommodating 15 burials, is undergoing restoration in Hagen, Germany. Originally scheduled to begin in the spring, the project has been adjusted due to limited financial resources and previous intensive engagement with the historical structure.
The restoration process typically involves well-documented phases and a timeline that focus on preserving the site's architectural and cultural heritage. Here's an overview of the common phases of Vincke-Grabanlage restoration:
- Preliminary Assessment and Documentation (Survey Phase)
- Historical research on the site's original design, purpose, and previous restorations.
- Detailed condition survey of the monument, including structural and material assessments.
- Documentation through photographs, drawings, and 3D scans.
- Planning and Approval
- Development of a detailed restoration plan respecting heritage protection regulations.
- Consulting with preservation experts, historians, and local authorities.
- Securing funding and obtaining necessary permits.
- Stabilization and Structural Repair
- Addressing any underlying structural issues threatening the monument’s stability.
- Repair or replacement of damaged masonry, stonework, or metal elements.
- Careful cleaning to remove dirt, biological growth, and pollutants without damaging surfaces.
- Restoration of Artistic and Decorative Elements
- Repairing or recreating sculptures, inscriptions, or ornamental features.
- Use of historically accurate materials and techniques.
- Conservation treatments to protect surfaces from future decay.
- Landscaping and Surrounding Environment
- Restoration or redesign of the surrounding park or garden to reflect its historical state.
- Installation of pathways, lighting, and signage in a sympathetic style.
- Final Inspection and Maintenance Planning
- Thorough inspection to ensure the restoration meets quality and conservation standards.
- Establishing an ongoing maintenance schedule to preserve the site long-term.
The entire project is expected to span 2 to 4 years, depending on the complexity and funding.
In the case of the Hagen Vincke-Grabanlage, Earth will be added to certain areas of the outer ring wall to restore stability. The damaged crown of the wall will be removed and rebuilt using existing materials. A temporary device will protect the gravestone with an urn against frost and weather during the restoration process.
The city of Hagen aims to preserve the historical Vincke-Grabanlage in Fleyer Wald, and Hagen's Economic Enterprise (HEE) will begin work on the restoration. HEE will clean and repair the bricks and joints, and if necessary, carefully remove and store the attached grave plates. Ecological monitoring will be carried out by the Biological Station Umweltzentrum Hagen e.V., and bat boxes will be installed between the bricks for bats that have settled within the wall.
The Vincke-Grabanlage is associated with the Vincke-Syberg family, and the last known representative of the associated family, Friedrich Henrich Carl Freiherr von Syberg, is buried in the heritage site. The grave plates attached to the walls originally belonged to the old Catholic church in Boele, and the old cemetery above the vaults of some ancestors from the Syberg zum Busche family is relevant to the Vincke-Grabanlage.
For more precise details about the Hagen Vincke-Grabanlage restoration phases and timelines, such information might be available through local heritage preservation offices in Hagen or from project reports by the city or heritage organizations involved.
The restoration process of the Vincke-Grabanlage, a historic site in Hagen, Germany, will incorporate stages that focus on the preservation of its architectural and cultural heritage, including a home-and-garden phase that entails the restoration or redesign of the surrounding park or garden to reflect its historical state. The city of Hagen's Economic Enterprise (HEE) will be responsible for the landscaping efforts, installing pathways, lighting, and signage in a sympathetic style.
In addition to the landscape restoration, the HEE will clean and repair the bricks and joints of the Vincke-Grabanlage, and if necessary, remove and store the attached grave plates, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining the site's lifestyle and historical significance.
