On 1 December 1987 the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe entered into force. It had been opened for signature at Granada on 3 October 1985 by the member States of the Council of Europe. The authentic texts are English and French, in a single copy in the archives of the Council; the Secretary General transmits certified copies. It is not the World Heritage Convention of 1972.

The preamble recalls the European Cultural Convention signed in Paris on 19 December 1954, the European Charter of the Architectural Heritage of 26 September 1975 and Resolution (76) 28 of 14 April 1976 on integrated conservation. Article 1: architectural heritage comprises monuments (buildings and structures of conspicuous historical, archaeological, artistic, scientific, social or technical interest, including their fixtures and fittings), groups of buildings forming topographically definable urban or rural units, and sites — the combined works of man and nature, partially built upon, homogeneous and topographically definable.

Article 2: each Party undertakes to maintain inventories and, in the event of threats, to prepare appropriate documentation at the earliest opportunity. Article 3: statutory measures to protect monuments, groups of buildings and sites, by means specific to each State or region. Article 4: supervision and authorisation; prevention of disfigurement, dilapidation or demolition; schemes for demolition or alteration of protected monuments and schemes affecting groups or sites shall be submitted to a competent authority; public authorities may require the owner to carry out work or carry it out themselves; compulsory purchase is allowed. Article 5: the removal, in whole or in part, of any protected monument is prohibited except where material safeguarding makes removal imperative. Article 25: the only reservation permitted is in respect of Article 4, paragraphs (c) and (d).

Article 6: financial support by the public authorities, fiscal measures if necessary, and encouragement of private initiatives. Article 9: infringements shall meet with a relevant and adequate response, which may entail an obligation to demolish a newly erected building which fails to comply or to restore a protected property to its former condition. Article 10: integrated conservation policies: protection as an essential town and country planning objective, programmes of restoration and maintenance, traditional skills and materials. Article 11: the use of protected properties in the light of the needs of contemporary life and the adaptation of old buildings for new uses, having due regard to architectural and historical character.

Article 14: machinery for information, consultation and co-operation between the State, regional and local authorities, cultural institutions and associations, and the public. Article 15: public awareness, including from school-age. Article 16: training in the occupations and craft trades of conservation. Article 17: exchange of information among the Parties. Article 20: a Committee of Experts set up by the Committee of Ministers pursuant to Article 17 of the Statute of the Council of Europe shall monitor application, report periodically and may propose revision. Article 21: the Convention shall not prejudice more favourable provisions in the World Heritage Convention of 1972 and the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of 6 May 1969.

Article 22: open for signature by the member States; ratification, acceptance or approval, deposited with the Secretary General; it enters into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after three member States have expressed their consent. Article 23: after entry into force the Committee of Ministers may invite non-member States and the European Economic Community to accede. Article 26: denunciation becomes effective on the first day of the month following six months after receipt. It is not the Faro Convention of 2005 and not the Valletta Convention of 1992.

Image: Palace of Charles V, Alhambra, Granada; Jebulon, 6 August 2014; CC0, Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe. Treaty text: Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe, Granada, 3 October 1985.