ANETTA KĘPCZYŃSKA-WALCZAK

This paper deals with the subject of digital inventory of historical monuments in the context of present needs and technological possibilities. The article presents the results of a research conducted during the years 2002-2004 and awarded in April 2005 the Award of the Minister of Infrastructure for the “creative development of science in the field of searching for universal system of architectural heritage documentation”.
First, a review of issues related to the emergence of information society and the dynamic growth and advancement of the information technology has been given, which is followed by reasoning for the necessity of creation of data in a digital system. Secondly, the importance and role of worldwide and European organisations in the architectural heritage protection has been presented including Poland’s participation in the field. Finally, standards and methods of heritage documentation in Poland have been described.
The study focuses on the implementation of new technology in the heritage protection. The guidelines based on the analysis of European achievements in the creation of digital archives have been formulated for a proposal of the comprehensive digital archive and improvement of cataloguing, management, protection and dissemination of information on Polish architectural heritage.