Defending cultural heritage monuments from the threats of climate change: The Herisktage Initiative

Could climate change erase the stories etched into our most cherished monuments? As the climate shifts, our cultural treasures—symbols of history and identity—face unprecedented threats. Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns put these irreplaceable assets at risk, making their preservation more urgent than ever.

At NCSR "DEMOKRITOS" , Dr. Ioannis Karatasios is at the forefront of efforts to protect these cultural landmarks. A distinguished researcher at the Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology at NCSR Demokritos (INN), he has dedicated over two decades to enhancing architectural monument durability and resilience through materials science. His team, the Ceramics & Composite Materials Research Group (CCM), plays a pivotal role in combating the environmental degradation of historic sites by exploring the intricate relationship between ancient materials and modern technology.

Herisktage: Monitoring vulnerability to climate change

Herisktage , the team's flagship program, addresses climate change's immediate threats to Greek cultural heritage. "Shifts in humidity, drought, rainfall, and temperature, all impact monument materials and decorative elements. Salt crystallization, frost damage, and salt migration within masonry are among the damaging effects," Karatasios explains.

Implemented through a partnership with the Ministry of Culture (and the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments), Herisktage targets UNESCO and Europa Nostra-recognized monuments across Greece's coastal and inland regions. This collaborative effort involves two institutes at Demokritos: INN, which focuses on interventions at the monument level, and INRASTES, which develops climate models for surrounding areas. The goal is to develop a strategic monument protection plan by 2025.

Karatasios’ team has already analyzed historical data, correlating it to monument deterioration. This insight into climate and microclimate changes helps predict how wear and tear on these structures may evolve. "If frescoes face significant threats, we’ll need specialized conservator training. If masonry is at risk, alternative conservation materials and strategies are required," Karatasios adds. Interventions range from direct building treatments with sustainable nano-materials developed in NCSRD/INN to environmental measures like planting trees or adjusting flora to manage flooding and humidity.

CCM’s Innovations and technological advancements

Innovation is central to the team's approach. A significant breakthrough of NCSRD approach is the high spatial resolution of the climate models developed by INRASTES and the consequent more accurate determination of the weathering events, which can cover areas as large as 4x4 km. This is achieved by combining open-access data from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Copernicus ECMWF , and on-site observations.

As part of the project, they have developed an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, which integrates state-of-the-art weathering prediction tools powered by machine learning (ML) algorithms, GIS technologies and autonomous environmental sensors. Karatasios explains, "This system combines historical data with measurements taken on-site, at the monuments of interest by the Ministry of Culture, providing personalized alerts based on specific phenomena that affects the building and decorative materials used in these monuments. This supports on-time planning of maintenance and conservation interventions and minimizes the risks for cultural heritage monuments, in a cost-effective manner."

In materials science, the CCM team is pioneering the use of self-healing conservation mortars, new generation salt crystallization inhibitors and anti-swelling agents for stabilizing clays and adobe bricks in prehistoric structures. These "smart materials" address specific material- and environment-based conservation challenges. To this end, machine learning algorithms help the team correlate wear phenomena with material properties, enabling predictive maintenance and non-invasive solutions like self-healing and self-cleaning materials.

The team foresees the integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in conservation materials, such as using bacteria to naturally produce calcium carbonate, which serves as a binding and protective agent for stone and lime mortars. "This innovative approach enhances materials' microstructure, offering a sustainable conservation method," Karatasios notes.

Insights from Herisktage

Herisktage emphasizes the importance of analyzing climate change impacts locally. "Previous studies relied on global or European averages, but at Herisktage, we achieved a spatial resolution that highlights the significance of specialized studies for protection and intervention policies,” Karatasios says.

Demokritos, with its advanced infrastructure and cross-disciplinary collaboration, is ideally suited to lead this research. "Our strength lies in bringing together experts from diverse fields—materials science, conservation, archaeometry, machine learning, and environmental science—to create a holistic approach to heritage preservation," Karatasios adds. “Years of collaboration with the archaeological ephorates, the archaeological schools and the Ministry of Culture have helped build a shared language between researchers and conservators, expanding their collective impact”, he concludes.

Conclusion

The Herisktage program's importance extends beyond uncovering climate change impacts on cultural heritage; it highlights the vital role of interdisciplinary collaboration. It demonstrates that true progress comes from innovation, unity, and a shared commitment to protecting our cultural legacy. Keeping this heritage alive means we ensure that future generations can continue to experience and learn from the rich stories, diversity, and wisdom of our shared human history.

Thank you to Dr. Eva (Steiner) Karatairi for additional research and reporting on this article.

I’m the Director and Chairman of the Board of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos,” one of the largest, multidisciplinary public Research Canters of Greece. At Demokritos, we are committed to producing scientific knowledge and discovery, advancing and promoting technology with the aim of making a positive impact on a global scale.