The architecture of the Old Continent has been woven through centuries of mixing cultures, peoples, and empires. The continent is home not only to some of the world’s most renowned buildings but also to historically significant roofs that have silently guarded our cultural heritage. These roofs reflect the refined craftsmanship of ancient builders and the resilience of traditional materials against the relentless ravages of time.

Chronicle of Roofing Materials Through the Ages

The oldest well-preserved roof in Europe is the Dolmen de Menga in Spain, but if we talk about roofing materials, these are primarily from the Roman and later medieval periods. For example, the Roman Pantheon is a symbol of grandeur with its stone dome, while its entrance is covered with high-quality clay tiles. Then there is the roof of the Stave Church in Borgund, Norway, dating back to the 12th century, which attests to the durability of the construction and wooden roofing in harsh climate conditions ("Historic Roofs of Norway," 1990). Similarly, stone tiles of medieval cathedrals have withstood centuries, as on the Cathedral of St. Magnus in Scotland (1137).

Palette of Historical Roofing Materials

The roofing materials of Europe are as diverse as its cultural mosaic. In regions like Great Britain and France, stone tiles were particularly popular due to their durability, while green roofs with local vegetation are a common sight in the rural landscapes of countries such as Ireland ("The Heritage Council," 2002) and other island nations in the north. In Scandinavia, wooden shingles reflect a millennium-old tradition stemming from extensive forest resources, then there’s the Mediterranean with its brick and ceramic tiles indicating the design ethos of the local climate conditions and culture ("European Roofing Systems," 2005). The least preserved are, of course, the roofs of the poorer layers, which were almost everywhere in Europe thatched.

Preserving the Past: Techniques and Challenges

Preserving historical roofs is a complex field that combines art and science. It involves not just the physical repair or replacement of outdated materials but also a forensic approach to understanding how these structures have stood the test of time. Techniques include detailed documentation of existing conditions, careful searching for or making matching materials, and the use of conservation methods that stabilize and prolong the life of the original structures ("International Journal of Historical Architecture," 2015). Conservators deal with specific ways of capturing the roof and 3D scanning for a better understanding of the roof’s composition and sensory measurement of the structure’s condition.

Nowadays, CAD and BIM technology also significantly support conservators and planners. In aid of preserving the integrity of the structure and appearance, strict rules and cultural heritage regulations are also in force in most older cities. In Škofja Loka, for example, the specified roofing materials are red beaver tail tiles and slate, where it has been preserved. All renovations must follow these rules, which are recorded in the location information. Even in the renovation of our house, we followed this, and due to a certain gray color, we replaced the previous asbestos-cement sheets with gray Gerard roofing.

Source: Pix-Pro. "Roof Scanning Techniques." https://www.pix-pro.com/blog/roof-scanning.

Source: ResearchGate. "The entire 3D point cloud of the Milan Cathedral, more than 3 billion points. TLS data."

Exemplary Renovations and Their Impact

Famous renovation projects across Europe highlight the careful care with which these historical treasures are preserved. The restoration of terracotta tiles on the dome of the Duomo in Florence was carried out with a commitment to preserving the integrity of Brunelleschi’s iconic design ("Florentine Heritage Journal," 2018). In England, the conservation of the roof of Rye Church involved expertly matching local clay tiles, preserving not just the church’s appearance but also its historical essence ("British Restoration Review," 2016). In the renovation of the Alcázar de Segovia fortress, the production of hundreds of specially adapted stone tiles was required due to the multi-level roofs and different shapes of the towers and their roofs, which is also one of the examples where BIM technology was used.

One of the more complex renovations of historical roofs was also the renovation of the famous green copper dome of Saint Michael at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, in 2011. This dome, part of a huge imperial complex that has continuously expanded over centuries, required precise and thoughtful restoration to preserve its architecture. Each of the thousands of copper tiles covering the dome was individually assessed, restored, or replaced, using traditional copper smith technical skills to ensure that the new work seamlessly blended with the original. The project also included the installation of modern waterproofing and insulation technologies under the historical roof to improve the palace’s energy efficiency without compromising its appearance.

Then there’s Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was devastated by a fire in April 2019. A significant part of the roof and the famous spire, added in the 19th century under the direction of architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was destroyed. The plans for the restoration have focused on reconstructing the "as it was," which means using traditional materials and techniques, including vast amounts of oak for the reconstruction of the wooden parts of the roof, which they called "forest" due to the multitude of trees used. Initially, more modern proposals were also presented, including ideas for a glass roof and an eco-sustainable roof that would include modern materials and could host plants or even produce energy, but they decided to follow historical plans that respect the original architecture and spirit of the cathedral.

Source: Designboom. "Notre Dame de Paris spire installation to mark cathedral’s opening."

Source: ArchDaily. "Notre Dame Must Be Restored Exactly How It Was, Declares French Senate."

Source: Wired UK. "Notre-Dame." https://www.wired.co.uk/article/notre-dame.

Conclutions

Preserving Europe’s historic rooftops is a key aspect of safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of the old continent. Roof structures provide more than shelter for the buildings themselves; they are integral parts of the historical narrative that embody the architectural achievements and cultural values ​​of different periods. Through the efforts of heritage preservation organizations and dedicated professionals, these roofs continue to tell their ancient stories for generations to come.

Source: National Museum of Denmark. "Viking Homes." https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/the-people/viking-homes

References/Sources:

"Historic Roofs of Norway," Norwegian Architectural Review, 1990.

"The Heritage Council," Irish Building Standards, 2002.

"European Roofing Systems," Continental Architectural Digest, 2005.

"International Journal of Historical Architecture," Special Issue on Roof Conservation, 2015.

"Florentine Heritage Journal," Review of the Duomo Terracotta Tiles Restoration, 2018.

"British Restoration Review," Case Study: Rye Church Roof Conservation, 2016.