Heritage conservationists warn that hundreds of historic buildings in Germany are at risk

An example: the Alte Schule in Cologne-Roggendorf

Representatives of the foundation called on the federal government, the states, and municipalities to provide significantly more funding for renovation and preservation. Private owners should also be held more accountable, for example through targeted funding programs or tax incentives. Without decisive countermeasures, many historic monuments are at risk of being lost.

The reports for the Black Book come from various channels: The German Foundation for Monument Protection collects information from inquiries to authorities, media reports, and information from the public. Over the years, this has created a nationwide overview of endangered properties.

Information from authorities and the public

In addition to the case in Cologne-Roggendorf, the foundation points to properties in Halle, in Upper Bavarian municipalities such as Oberkirch, and in several Bavarian administrative regions. The cases involve both individual buildings and entire historic ensembles whose fabric is threatened by moisture, inadequate maintenance, or improper renovation.

The German Foundation for Monument Protection is one of the most important private funding organizations for preserving historic building fabric in Germany. It is financed largely through donations, lottery proceeds, and the returns from trust foundations. The foundation points out that monument protection has not only aesthetic but also climate-policy value – for example, when historic buildings are upgraded using traditional methods and thereby continue to be used.

Demands on policymakers

According to the foundation, municipalities and owners have in many cases responded only hesitantly to warnings so far. In some cases, there is already not enough money for basic preservation measures; in others, renovation fails because of lengthy coordination between monument authorities and building authorities.

The German Foundation for Monument Protection wants to increase pressure on policymakers with the Black Book. The publication is intended to show that the pressure to act has grown and that short-term programs are needed to stabilize the situation – for example, for school buildings such as the Alte Schule in Cologne-Roggendorf.