Monument protection

Architectural monuments are not only churches, castles and palaces - even normal houses or factories can be architectural monuments. However, building owners can breathe a sigh of relief: monument protection does not mean standing still, all structural changes only have to be approved with the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg as the monument protection authority. In most cases, the approval is included in the building permit. The architectural monuments in our district are listed in so-called working lists, which can also be viewed at the towns and municipalities. The district is happy to provide support and advice here.

The State Office for the Preservation of Monuments has created a database in which all cultural monuments in Hessen are presented online - including site plans, pictures and information.

The monument topography in the northern district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is currently being compiled.

If you have any questions about the register of monuments, you can contact the State of Hesse at denkmalverzeichnis.mr@lfd-hessen.de.

Official monument certificates are issued by the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, Außenstelle Marburg, Ketzerbach 10, 35037 Marburg.

Monument Protection Award

The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg regularly donates a prize to promote the protection of historical monuments. The award is endowed with 5,000.00 euros. The prize is awarded for special, exemplary achievements in the preservation of historical monuments to natural persons and legal entities who have implemented a corresponding building project in the district as private building owners. In addition to the financial contribution, a certificate is awarded in recognition of the special achievements. The prize may be divided among several persons. The next award ceremony will take place in 2025.

The monument authorities, municipalities, associations, societies and individual citizens are entitled to submit nominations. Individual applications are also permitted. The application or nomination must be accompanied by sufficient documents for the assessment of the achievement, such as a chronological outline of the building history and the restoration history with pictures showing the previous and the new condition as well as documenting the conversion phase. In addition, corresponding further planning documents that document the project are advantageous. The district committee decides on the awarding of the prize on the recommendation of a jury. The prize is presented to the winner at a ceremony. The exemplary monument conservation achievements recognised by the award shall be published in an appropriate manner.

Photovoltaic systems and solar thermal energy in listed areas

In general, PV systems and solar thermal energy are possible in listed areas if the following parameters are observed:

• Systems(solar thermal, photovoltaic) on roofs are acceptable from the point of view of monument preservation if they are clearly subordinate in size and cannot be seen from public or semi-public spaces or from spaces and locations that are integral to the historic structure of the monument. Installations may be considered if they are architecturally integrated in the best possible way and if their location does not have a negative impact on the appearance of the monument (in the case of individual cultural monuments).

• The systems(solar thermal, photovoltaic) must integrate as well as possible architecturally into the roof surface and correspond with the roofing material(e.g. appropriate module size, grid and colour; minimal edge flashing, colour black; no impairment by fire protection requirements for spacing/position of the modules, etc.).

• The systems(solar thermal, photovoltaic) must be placed two rows of tiles away from the ridge and eaves and three rows of tiles away from the verge. Attention must be paid to a symmetrical distribution. A corresponding photomontage must be attached to the application.

The elements of the systems(solar thermal, photovoltaic) are to be designed with a dark frame and a non-glossy surface. Black solar modules are also called full-black modules. They are monocrystalline PV modules in which most of the components are black. These include the solar cells, reflective layer, back and module frame. Full-black PV modules score points for their aesthetic appearance.

Further information on monument protection and the necessary application documents can be found in the service.