92 million kroner for renovation: Sønderjysk by hopes for Unesco-status

The first construction projects to restore Augustenborg as a ducal town are set to begin immediately after Easter.

- We have two to three projects starting simultaneously. They are located on Storegade and Slots Allé, says project chief for the Augustenborg Restoration Squad Lillian Kristensen.

Lillian Kristensen, project chief for the Augustenborg Restoration Squad, is looking forward to starting the real renovations of the old houses. (Photo: © Telma Svangtun Eriksen, DR)

She expects the first projects to be set in motion in May.

In total, up to 80 heritage-listed and protected houses are expected to undergo a major restoration over the next five years to be returned to their original architectural style – some dating back to the 1700s.

The ambition is to bring the town onto the UNESCO World Heritage List (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/hanklit-paa-mors-og-knude-klint-paa-fur-bliver-maaske-verdensarv).

- The first eight to ten projects are expected to be completed in 2025, and it is a good mix of projects we are starting, says Lillian Kristensen.

Adjust the visibility of the overlapping images. 0 means the first image is hidden and the second is completely visible. 100 means that the first image is completely visible and the second is hidden. 50 means that both images are partially visible and hidden. One of the major changes is to bring the windows back to their original appearance, which they had 300 years ago. On the left-hand image, you can see the architectural drawing of the current house. To the right, you can see how the windows and chimneys will be changed. (Photo: © Albin Frech, (c) / Photo: © Albin Frech, (c))

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Many hours of work

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One of those setting the lines on the projects is restoration architect Albin Frech from Jørgen Overbys Tegnestue in Gram.

And there are many hours of work in drawing – but at least as many hours in preparation, he says.

- One must visit the houses many times, look closely at them and talk to the owners and listen to their needs. They are the ones who will be responsible for the maintenance for the next many years, he says.

The financing of the many projects comes partly from the Augustenborg Restoration Squad, which is backed by Sønderborg Kommune, AP Møller Fonden, and Realdania. Partly from the individual owners of the houses that are being renovated. In total, there is talk of a combined budget of around 92 million kroner.

The Old Pharmacy in Augustenborg is one of the houses that will be renovated as part of the project. It is Albin Frech who has drawn the plans for it. (Photo: © Telma Svangtun Eriksen, DR)

Augustenborg Town was built in the 1700s as a baroque complex with Augustenborg Castle, castle church, park, palaces, and a whole town built by the duke for his court. Today, the castle houses the Agriculture Agency, while most of the houses are privately owned.

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What is UNESCO World Heritage?

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UNESCO is an acronym for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. It is the FN's organization for education, science, and culture.

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Denmark has signed the World Heritage Convention. It obligates countries around the world to preserve the part of the world's cultural and natural heritage that is irreplaceable for all of humanity. This is done by listing the sites on the World Heritage List.

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The World Heritage List is a list of more than 1000 sites worldwide, marked as heritage-worthy cultural or natural areas.

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Denmark currently has 12 sites on the World Heritage List, and Greenland has three.

Sources: UNESCO, Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen

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