Conservation and restoration of the historic park of Echternach – a living monument

Protecting, conserving and restoring a living monument

The historic park of Echternach is a listed monument of national importance since 1965.

Substantial damage was caused to it by the recent flooding of July 2021, provoking serious efforts of conservation and restoration. As the main owner of the park’s grounds the State has initiated a project running over a period of four years (2022-2026). It focusses on regaining, step by step, the wealth of detail and the rich vegetation of the park “à la française”, created in the aftermath of the Second World War by the landscape architect Henri Luja (1899-1977) from Luxembourg.

The works are financed and directed by the National Institute of Architectural Heritage (INPA), in collaboration with the City of Echternach, the Admininistration of Nature and Forests (ANF) and the National Institute of Archeological Research (INRA).

The Florence Charter (1982)

The sinister of 2021 has emphasized multiple problems, which are common for plantations that are already in place for three quarters of a century. Natural decay and inappropriate management are likely to have provoked the poor condition of the park’s vegetation.

In the matter of restoration and conservation the INPA strictly follows the guidelines on historic gardens such as defined by the international Charter of Florence. A multidisciplinary team of experts (architects, conservators, gardeners, landscape architects…) gives scientific advice on the project, which tries to reestablish the volumes, the proportions and the rich variety of vegetation of the post-war park.

The key steps of the park’s restoration

2022

  • historic and architectural study of the main developments of the park since the 16th century (Marc Schoellen)
  • overall strategy plan, describing the present-day situation and sketching out a strategy in short, middle and long term (Emmanuel d’Hennezel)
  • Arborist’s tree care assessment in order to determine the vitality of trees and to guarantee visitor’s security

2023

  • specific study of the two parterres, the central fountain basin and the commemorative vase of the “Cinquantenaire” (Marc Schoellen)
  • selection of a test zone in the grove in order to carry out a limited restoration
  • work carried out on the two parterres, the fountain basin, the commemorative urn (pulling out the infested box tree borders, trimming the fastigiate yew columns, eradicating the privet hedge around the fountain basin, establishing a turf edge around the fountain basin, establishing a border of periwinkle around the vase)

2024

Studies:

  • screening of fauna and flora in the test zone
  • assessment on lighting in the test zone
  • hydraulic study of the fountain basin (“rond d’eau”)

Actions:

  • carved copy of the lower part of the urn with the artichoke lid
  • conservation treatment on the vase of the “Cinquantenaire”
  • metal border edging along the contours of the parterres
  • replanting of box hedges and restoration of the central embroidery pattern
  • preparing the flower borders and seeding annual flowers
  • creation of a formal “tapis de gazon” as centerpiece of the garden room (“salle de verdure”) in the test zone

2025

Studies: 

  • screening of the fauna and flora in the entire park
  • study on the park’s signage system with suggestions for creating a proper identity to it
  • study of the park’s furniture (benches, dust bins)

Actions:

  • establishing perennial and annual plants in the flower borders
  • restorating the central fountain basin
  • installing appropriate lighting
  • restorating the groves (“bosquets”) close to the tennis square
  • restorating the remaining groves and garden rooms (“cabinets de verdure”) of the park

2026

Studies:

  • survey and assessment on the vitality of the chestnut tree alignments and on the proper maintenance of the lime tree alley
  • overall management plan for the maintenance of the park according to the recommendations of the Florence Charter

Actions:

  • putting in place a new signage system and furniture (benches, dust bins)
  • resurfacing the gravel paths

 

Parterre before restoration, c. 1950/55

The main parterre following the flooding on July 15, 2021

Baumbestand im Park Echternach, Arbor Inform, Dr. Julia Engels, (excerpt)

Restoration scenario for a grove, test area, Emmanuel d’Hennezel

Sketches and drawing of the palmette with mesh for execution on site (M. Schoellen)

Postcard, c. 1930/35

Postcard, c. 1950

Postcard, c. 1950/60

Water basin before any intervention with its privet hedge

Water basin during the restoration of the grass ring

Water basin after restoration with its grass ring and iron lattice

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