The 4^th International Conference on Conservation of Architectural Heritage was held onboard of Nile Cruise, sailing between Luxor and Aswan for 4 days/3 nights.

Chaired by Professor Stella Kostopoulou (Associate Professor of Regional and Tourism Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece.) and organized by IEREK, it encompassed sightseeing trips to historical, cultural, and architectural sites.

Day 1:

After arrival and lunch on board of the cruise, the attendees departed for a sightseeing trip to the High Dam followed by one to the Philae temple.

The opening session was held on the cruise after the participant’s return from the morning visits. It was opened by a welcoming word from the CEO of IEREK, Prof. Stella Kostopoulou and then a keynote speech delivered by Prof Fabio Pollice, Rector & Full Professor of Economic-Political Geography/ Director of the Department of History, Society and Human Studies at the University of Salento, Lecce, Italy, titled “Cultural Heritage for development: The local community perspective”.

Day 2:

While sailing to “Kom Ombo”, the second day started with a keynote speech by Prof. Ferdinando Trapani, Associate Professor in Urban Planning at the Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy, titled “Erice: from conservation to revitalisation”.

The following speech of the day was delivered by Prof. Luca Lanini, Associate Professor, Department of Energy, Systems, Land and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy, entitled “Where it was, not how it was. Notes on Italian culture of restoration on modern architecture”.

The first session of the conference entitled “Importance of Architectural Heritage Conservation” was moderated by prof. Fabio Pollice and had 8 presentations concerning diversified case studies from around the world.

A Lunch and afternoon tea on the Sun Deck followed, after which a visit to “Kom Ombo Temple”, built during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395), took place before another sail to “Edfu”.

After Dinner, the second session of the conference on “Identification of Architectural Heritage Conservation” was launched and moderated by prof. Ferdinando Trapani and Prof. Luca Lanini, followed by the third session titled “Management and Conservation of Architectural Heritage” which was moderated by Prof. Stella Kostopoulou and Prof. Ferdinando Trapani encompassing 10 presentations.

Day 3:

A visit to Edfu Temple, the second largest temple in Egypt and also known as the Temple of Horus, was a great start to the third and last day of the conference.

After the visit and a sail to Luxor, session 4 entitled “Architectural Heritage Conservation Techniques” was moderated by prof. Luca Lanini followed by session 5 on “Advancing Technologies and Innovation to Conserve the Architectural Heritage” which was moderated by Prof. Stella Kostopoulou and Prof. Ferdinando Trapani.

A visit to Luxor Temple which sits at the heart of Luxor in the east bank of the Nile River set a buffer for the day. Built by the pharoah Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BC), its walls are decorated with some of the finest carvings in Egypt which has remained in good shape as much of the temple was buried until 1885.

Another visit to the Karnak Temple, on the east bank of the Nile River, followed which consisted of an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the Theban triad but also to the greater glory of pharaohs. This main structure is surrounded by the houses of Amun’s wife, Mut, and their son, Khonsu.

A closing ceremony, a final panel discussion, and an exchange of remarks and recommendations between the authors and the moderators concluded the conference. A Galabiya costume party wrapped up the night with some music and dance.

Day 4:

Day 4, known as check-out day, included a visit to Luxor’s West Bank where the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut temple, and Colossi of Memnon are.

The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, it’s the most well-known site for excavations of unique antiquities and ancient remains. Building Tombs was part of the ancient Egyptians’ beliefs of the afterlife and their preparations for the next world. They believed in the afterlife where they were promised to continue their lives and Pharaohs were promised to ally with the gods.

Hatshepsut’s Temples (the unique multi-tiered structure) is nestled up against the limestone cliffs at the shoulder of the river valley, a truly stunning sight. The site was used as a monastery during the early centuries. Hatshepsut’s status as the only female to rule Egypt is not the only reason for her fame but she was also a very successful pharaoh. She ruled over an era of peace, prosperity and expanded lucrative trade routes.

For a review of CAH 2020 – the 4th Edition published as part of the October-November 2020, Issue 80 of “News in Conservation”, read:

ISSUU: https://issuu.com/nic_iiconservation/docs/nic-oct-nov-2020_issue_80_issuu

PDF: https://www.iiconservation.org/system/files/publications/journal/2020/b2020_5.pdf