Szanowni Państwo!

It is our great pleasure to invite you to become acquainted with the contents of the most recent issue of “Ochrona Zabytków”. We trust that the presented topics will not only meet with your interest but also provide essential information, enhance existing knowledge, assist in further work, inspire new research or encourage you to share your professional experiences. As in the previous issues of our quarterly we aim at rendering the range of the discussed questions as varied as possible, so as to enable you to find themes corresponding to your interests. It is the joint ambition of the publishers and our authors to propose an array of topics capable of attracting the attention of readers representing various scientific disciplines and involved in serving a common objective – the protection of historical monuments. Prominent place is assigned to the variegated problems of conservation, i. a. of architecture, paintings or necropolises. The first topic is examined in greater detail in texts about the classical monuments of Rome and the methods of protecting and displaying historical ruins. We would also like to recommend the study on paintings by Xawery Dunikowski, renowned predominantly for his sculptures, and an article on the conservation of the Central Cemetery in Szczecin. The part dealing with the non-material heritage delves into the culturalcivilisational aspects of the development of the identity of Gdaƒsk, the section on archaeology contains material about excavations conducted in Nidzica, and texts on technology include an article on videoendoscopy, a novel method facilitating the protection of historical timber. It is our sincere hope that you will find our offer enjoyable. Respectfully yours, Jacek Rulewicz Director of the National Centre for Historical Monument Studies and Documentation