Monument protection in Schleswig-Holstein: pride, challenge and limits!

Monument protection in Schleswig-Holstein: pride, challenge and limits!

When you think of Schleswig-Holstein, what immediately comes to mind are the many historic buildings and sites that characterize the country. These include landmarks such as the Holstentor in Lübeck or the impressive town hall in Elmshorn. But as brilliant as these buildings are, monument protection represents both a necessity and a challenge. This is emphasized by Alexander Blažek, the chairman of the owners' association Haus & Grund. He emphasizes that monument protection often encounters problems that need to be overcome during conversion and modernization. In particular, the installation of heat pumps or energy-saving renovations involve a lot of effort, which poses major challenges for many owners.

After all, most owners are proud of their listed properties and invest in their maintenance. According to that Mopo However, it turns out that Schleswig-Holstein spends too little money on monument protection compared to other federal states such as Saxony-Anhalt, with only 700,000 euros. Here Blažek speaks of insufficient staffing and long approval times, which further complicate the process. Many owners find contact with the monument authorities to be inadequate, which often leads to misunderstandings. Philip Seifert, the head of the State Office for Monument Preservation, takes a more relaxed view of the whole thing and describes the problems as isolated cases.

Pragmatism and compromise

Kiel Mayor Ulf Kampf points out the importance of pragmatism and compromise when it comes to monument protection. He advocates the preservation and renovation of the pavilions on the Old Market, but at the same time advocates the possibility of demolishing one of the buildings to create space for something new. The balancing act between tradition and modernity is becoming increasingly complex. Seifert, meanwhile, is calling for more public recognition of the value of monuments and the outstanding achievements in rebuilding historic sites.

But not only politicians, but also citizens are actively involved in monument protection. The Schleswig-Holstein Monument Fund, a citizens' association with over 40 years of history and around 440 members, offers advice and support in this area. The members are actively committed to the preservation and care of cultural monuments. A general meeting will take place next year, inviting everyone interested to take part. The annual exhibition of historical black and white photos of the Dithmarscher coast also shows the commitment of the citizens and contributes to raising awareness.

Cultural heritage in focus

Monument preservation, like them in the architectural lexicon described refers not only to the preservation of buildings, but also includes monuments and settlements. The aim is to preserve cultural heritage and promote a better understanding of historical development. Monuments are not only contemporary witnesses, but also magnets for tourists and therefore important for the economic development of the region.

At the same time, it is necessary to take into account challenges such as decay, environmental influences and modern developments. The special commitment of qualified experts and the provision of financial resources continue to be essential in order to secure and pass on the wealth of cultural monuments in Schleswig-Holstein in the long term.

Although monument protection is often perceived as an obstacle, it turns out that it is essential for preserving our history and thus also for the identity of the region. A good hand and the will to work together are required to find the balance between the preservation of historical heritage and the needs of modern urban development.