PROJECT FOR ENHANCING ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE IN ROMANIAN VILLAGES - AN ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY, ENERGY SAVING APPROACH

The latest trends in European cultural tourism focus on putting to good use the existing local potentialities. Across Arad County, Romania, there are numerous historical and archaeological remains, the oldest dating from the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. Most of these are found in rural areas, but are not commonly known, not advertised and have no proper monument protection. Usually, the local community does not have the means, the awareness and real interest to preserve these ruins due to several factors of which we can list: poverty, low standard of education, the subsistence economy based on agriculture, lack of information, depopulation of rural areas as a result of massive migration to the city etc. Nevertheless, archaeological sites can become a strategic trigger for local cultural and economic development, if, on regional scale, some input in their preservation and valorisation is enabled. In this manner, cultural tourism can develop, local economy will be enhanced and awareness towards built heritage will increase, ensuring local tradition and culture. In this context, our research has begun by identifying a network of archaeological sites within the villages in Arad County. For some of these we have conceived activation strategies within an ecological approach beside musealisation. The present study is part of this undertaking and it focuses on one less known, but well-preserved archaeological site in the village of Galsa. The historical and archaeological remains consist of a well preserved medieval stone chapel. We aim to find viable means of rehabilitation and valorisation of the cultural heritage, through environmental-friendly interventions. Thus, the ruin is given a new utility which responds to some social and economic local needs.