Monument protection: Foundation laments loss of numerous monuments

Germany's monument protection foundation is sounding the alarm over the significant loss of historical buildings and monuments across the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. The foundation's "Black Book" details the disappearance of nine sites in Saxony and six each in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. These losses include demolitions, partial demolitions, and the revocation of protected status. The most prominent case highlighted is the Carolabrücke in Dresden, which partially collapsed.

Across Germany, at least 1,077 monuments have been lost in the last two years, equating to more than one per day. The foundation attributes these losses to a backlog in renovation, neglect, economic pressures, and flawed professional and political decisions. The "Black Book" also criticizes federal "special funds" that often favor demolition and new construction over the renovation of protected infrastructure.

Compiling the "Black Book" proved challenging, with authors noting the difficulty in finding reliable facts and sources for monument losses. Decision-making processes and applications are sometimes not public, and press reports often form the basis for documented cases. Official figures for Saxony alone show 355 monuments lost in recent years, with 13 demolished without permits.

The "Black Book" elaborates on specific cases, such as the Ulrich Villa in Glauchau, Saxony. This historic villa, built in 1899, stood empty for decades before being auctioned in 2024. The new owner, Diakonie Westsachsen, viewed the building as a safety risk and received unusually swift approval for its demolition. A local online petition with over 750 signatures was too late to prevent the demolition.