Monument protection

Monuments are not only churches, castles and palaces - even normal houses or factories can be monuments. However, building owners can breathe a sigh of relief: monument protection does not mean standing still, all structural changes just have to be approved with the Waldeck-Frankenberg district 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 cities and municipalities. The district is happy to provide support and advice here.

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

The monument topography in the area of Nordkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg is currently being compiled.

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

Official monument certificates are issued by the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments, Marburg Branch, Ketzerbach 10, 35037 Marburg.

Historic Preservation 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, monument preservation achievements to natural and legal persons who have implemented a corresponding building measure in the district as private builders. In addition to the financial contribution, a certificate is awarded in recognition of the special achievements. It is possible to divide the prize among several persons. The next award ceremony will take place in 2025.

The monument authorities, municipalities, associations, clubs and individual citizens are entitled to submit nominations. Self-applications are also permitted. The application or nomination must be accompanied by sufficient documentation 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 reconstruction phase. In addition, appropriate other planning documents that document the project are beneficial. 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 preservation achievements recognized by the awarding of the prize are to be published in an appropriate manner.

Photovoltaic systems and solar thermal in listed areas

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

• Systems(solar thermal, photovoltaic) on roofs are acceptable in terms of monument preservation if they are clearly subordinate in size, they are not visible from public or semi-public spaces, and they are not visible from spaces and locations that are integral to the historic structure of the monument. Installations may be considered if they integrate as well as possible architecturally 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 be integrated as architecturally as possible into the roof surface and correspond with the roofing material(e.g. appropriate module size, grid and color; minimal edge flashing, color black; no interference from fire protection requirements for spacing/position of 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 is to be attached to the application.

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

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