Transsylvania Nostra Journal

The conservation of historic buildings requires, first and foremost, the prevention of their destruction or disappearance. Due to the scarcity of funds, knowing which historic buildings are imminently and gravely at risk can make the difference between losing or saving an edifice. ICOMOS holds the following risk factors as fundamental: maintenance deficiency, lack of financial and human resources; economic and social changes, particularly changing State responsibilities and unsettled ownerships; insufficient conservation standards; lack, loss or inappropriate devolution of protective heritage legislation and tourismrelated issues. The Roşia Montanã case in Romania, as well as similar cases in Spain (Barcelona and Seville), Germany (Cologne and Dresden), Russia (St. Petersburg), Austria (Vienna) etc., show that there is no bigger threat hanging over historic buildings than the deeds of humans motivated by selfish, context-related economic interests.
Keywords: historic buildings, ICOMOS, World Heritage Convention