Local heritage associations, historic preservationists, and archaeologists have already spoken out against planned reforms in historic preservation—and now the churches are also voicing their concerns. The Evangelical Lutheran Regional Church and the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen stated that the protection and preservation of church monuments require “consistency in the principles of proven administrative structures.”
This comes in the wake of decisions by the state government to integrate the State Office for Archaeology and the State Office for Historic Preservation into the State Directorate of Saxony, thereby making them part of a large executive agency.
With 101,000 architectural monuments and 13,000 archaeological sites, Saxony is one of the federal states with the richest heritage, according to the churches. “Churches and chapels account for a significant portion of this rich and diverse heritage.” Preserving them requires expertise and an understanding of church-related concerns. Both are found within the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments.
