On national cultural heritage sites

Any archaeological site classified as national cultural heritage may not undergo repair, restoration or modification -other than maintenance - either on the exterior or interior of the building, without written authorisation from the Minister of Culture.

For classified archaeological sites, any intervention on the ground or underground may constitute a " modification of any sort" to the archaeological heritage. This includes activities such as earthworks, digging, construction, demolition and similar works, projects, etc.

To request ministerial authorisation for works on buildings or archaeological sites classified as national cultural heritage, please contact INRA's Service des sites classés (Department of Classified Archaeological Site), as soon as the planning stage begins: pcnarcheo@inra.etat.lu .

The following documents must be attached to the application for authorisation to carry out works on an archaeological site classified as national cultural heritage :

  1. Information about the location of the classified property including the address of the municipality, locality, street, number (or indication of the locality), the road or national road, as well as the cadastral number and LUREF coordinates, if available.
  2. General visual images of the classified archaeological site, as along with photographs of details relevant to the development project;
  3. A detailed description of the proposed development project.

Where applicable, the following additional documents are required

  1. A complete survey of the interior and exterior of the classified archaeological site;
  2. Construction plans for all levels, including the cellar;
  3. An assessment of the damage and alterations inflicted on the classified archaeological site;
  4. A site plan at a minimum scale of 2:100, clearly showing in different colours the existing elements, those to be demolished and rebuilt, exterior features, walls, fences, ramps, as well as existing and proposed plantings;
  5. Longitudinal and transversal cross-sections illustrating the existing topography, proposed modifications to the site’s topography, retaining walls to be built and clear height levels;
  6. Studies and analyses previously conducted on the archaeological site classified as national cultural heritage.

Ministerial authorisation may be subject to specific directives depending on the nature of the site and/or the proposed works. Authorised projects must be carried out under the supervision of INRA  

The owner of a property classified as national cultural heritage may be eligible for project management assistance.

Deadlines

Applications for authorisation to carry out development projects must be submitted in writing to the Minister of Culture before the work is due to start. The Minister of Culture may request the opinion of the commission before making a decision, which must be received by the interested party within four months of reception of the application for authorisation to carry out the project. Once this period has elapsed, the application is deemed to have been approved.