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Qualified in stonemasonry and conservation, Erich Pummer founded the Atelier Erich Pummer for stone conservation and monument care in Rossatz, Wachau, Austria in 1982. Here, he outlines his firm’s six-year involvement in efforts to restore ancient landmarks in Baku’s UNESCO protected Old City.

By Amina Nazarli The symbol of Baku - the Maiden Tower - won the award of “European Museum of the Year 2015” competition. The awarding ceremony in Glasgow on May 16 was organized by the European Museum Forum. The gala ceremony was attended by over 200 people from 29 European countries. Baku’s most majestic and mysterious monument - the Maiden Tower or Giz Galasi was awarded in the category “For success in improving social significance of the museum” among 42 other nominees. The Azerbaijani monument received the award for contribution to the improvement of museology. Built in the shape of a cylinder on the Caspian Sea shore, the Maiden Tower is a construction which rather like a buttress, sticks out from the cylindrical tower on the sea side. The majestic construction was included into the list of World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2000. There have many calculations and speculations when it comes to determining the date of its construction. Some suggest that it was constructed in between the 4th…

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In December 2013, the Studio Erich Pummer has had a 3-year major project, the planning, overall restoration and preservation of the 1000 year old Maiden tower (QIZ QALASI), landmark of Baku - Azerbaijan, completed. On April 18th 2014 the International Day of the monument, the Azerbaijani project preservationists, architects and representatives of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) came together as part of a conference in Baku presented by Erich Pummer.

Also this year, we enjoyed many visitors to our booth at the Monument in 2014 and would like to thank you this way for your interest.

By Nigar Orujova Maiden Tower, a historical symbol of Baku dating back to the ancient times, opens its doors to visitors from January 2 after major conservation works. Maiden Tower's restoration works started in April 2011. The tower has been closed to visitors since January 2013. It now has a new museum exhibition. Baku citizens and tourists can evaluate the work carried out in one of the most recognizable monuments of the city every day from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. After the restoration, the 28 meters high monument on the Caspian Sea coast acquired its historical appearance. The tower has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

Who among the stone restorers is not aware of the problems when confronted with severely damaged objects that can not be preserved in the long run with traditional methods.

Under the patronage of the President Ilham Aliyev the Atelier Erich Pummer respectively the managing director Erich Pummer was awarded the Honorary Diploma for the excellent restoration of the Maiden Tower. The graduant is selected and proposed once annually by the Azerbaijani media union (television, radio, press).

The Studio Erich Pummer opens at 10 AM its doors for those who want to learn about the latest techniques in stone restoration and preservation.

DBU Project Dresden – Sponsorship project of "German Environment Foundation 2013“ "Innovative method to strengthen complicated preservable environmentally damaged sandstone monuments and numeric geomechanic simulation of the risks”

Consolidation of natural stone always goes back to one question: How do you transport the consolidant agent into the depth of the stone? New perspectives are opened by a vacuum-circuit process by which first practice experiences have already been gained. by Erich Pummer

Vienna „Universität für angewandte Kunst“ (University of applied arts) field of study – stone conservation