Expert Advisor / Guest: Ing. arch. Andrej Ivan, Monument Inspector, Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic

Climate change threatens not only the natural environment but also the survival of our tangible cultural heritage. In this video, an expert examines how extreme weather events, such as intense rainfall and strong winds, as well as long-term trends, including changes in freeze–thaw cycles and periods of insect activity, are damaging historic buildings today.
The discussion challenges the common misconception that sudden disasters pose the greatest threat. Instead, it highlights how the long-term neglect of seemingly minor issues, such as blocked gutters, can ultimately lead to the destruction of entire roof structures and façades.
Drawing on the devastating fires at Krásna Hôrka Castle and in the historic centre of Banská Štiavnica, the interview critically examines the state of preventive measures and crisis management, emphasising that these must be effective in practice rather than merely formal procedures.
Finally, the video advocates preserving original historic craftsmanship rather than replacing traditional features prematurely, such as historic windows. It also highlights the need for a systematic, institutionalised approach to maintenance, whereby every historic building has its own “maintenance manual”, developed in cooperation with all stakeholders involved in the use and management of the building.

Questions addressed in the video:

  • Our historic monuments have stood for centuries. What effects of climate change are they facing today, and why are these changes often invisible yet all the more dangerous?

  • Why can seemingly minor issues, such as a neglected rainwater gutter, become one of the greatest threats to historic buildings?

  • The devastating fires at Krásna Hôrka Castle and in the historic centre of Banská Štiavnica remain firmly in our memory. What lessons must we learn from these tragedies to ensure effective prevention?

  • During building renovations, historic features such as original windows are often replaced with new ones without sufficient consideration. Why is this a mistake, and why should maintaining the original features be the preferred approach?

  • Why should every historic building have a maintenance plan — a “maintenance manual” — and why should those responsible for its management see it as more than just a bureaucratic requirement?

“Most major defects and the need for extensive interventions in historic monuments are the result of the long-term neglect of minor damage. Every building should have a maintenance plan — it is like the service manual that comes with a car.”

Additional videos, interviews, and real-world examples