The Site
Mauerbach Charterhouse, located near Vienna, is a historic Carthusian monastery with a rich and complex history. Founded in 1314 by Duke Frederick the Fair of the House of Habsburg, the monastery was consecrated in 1316, when Prior Gottfried and twelve monks relocated from Seiz (Žiče, in present-day Slovenia). The original Gothic complex suffered significant destruction during the first Ottoman siege of Vienna and further structural damage in the Neulengbach earthquake of 1590. A major reconstruction effort began in 1616 under Abbot Berthold Fasel, and the transformation of the monastery into its present form was completed by Abbot Johannes Werner between 1665 and 1670. The early Baroque interiors were largely destroyed during the second Ottoman siege of Vienna in 1683, requiring extensive renewal in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the Baroque monastery is considered one of the most architecturally and historically valuable Carthusian sites in Austria.
Following its secularisation in 1782 by Emperor Joseph II, Mauerbach Charterhouse was repurposed as a poorhouse and infirmary, accommodating up to 800 residents. During the Second World War, it was converted into an emergency hospital, and between 1945 and 1961, it served as a shelter for displaced families, housing more than a hundred households. In 1961, the Austrian Federal Government acquired the property, but the site remained abandoned for over two decades, falling into an advanced state of decay. In 1979, it was taken over by Burghauptmannschaft Österreich (the Federal Buildings Authority of Austria), and in 1984, a plan for its revitalisation was conceived, ensuring its protection and sustainable use. Conservation and restoration efforts commenced in 1985, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the site's history.
Today, Mauerbach Charterhouse houses the Information and Training Centre for Heritage Conservation under the Federal Monuments Authority of Austria. The site serves as a specialised institution for professional training in historic building techniques, conservation methodologies, and scientific research in heritage preservation. In addition, it accommodates the Department of Archaeology of the Federal Monuments Authority of Austria, further enhancing its role as a centre for interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Information and Training Centre for Heritage Conservation is dedicated to researching and teaching traditional building techniques, including lime burning, lime slaking, handmade brick production, and the use of traditional materials such as natural sands, lime, and hydraulic binders. Alongside its focus on historical craftsmanship, the centre also serves as a testing ground for innovative conservation techniques, providing expert consultation for heritage site owners, conservators, and architects.
Training activities take place within the monastery itself, where various historical surfaces, windows, and architectural elements require ongoing conservation. The slow, methodical restoration process ensures that conservation efforts align with the highest professional standards, offering an exemplary model of best practices in Austria. Courses held at Mauerbach Charterhouse cover a wide range of traditional trades, including blacksmithing, engraving, stonemasonry, painting, masonry, and carpentry. Beyond technical training, these courses foster awareness and respect for original materials and structures, reinforcing the importance of authenticity in heritage conservation.
The conservation of architectural surfaces remains a major focus of the centre’s work. Expertise has been developed in the conservation and restoration of medieval and Baroque rendered façades, as well as plasterwork and decorative renders from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Specialised courses for conservators-restorers and masons explore the composition of historical mortars, the use of Roman and Portland cements for stone-imitation plaster, and various application techniques.
The conservation philosophy and training approach at Mauerbach Charterhouse is outlined in the publication “Standards der Baudenkmalpflege” (“Standards of Heritage Conservation”), which serves as a reference for best practices in the preservation of built heritage in Austria. Through its integrated approach to conservation, research, and education, the Information and Training Centre for Heritage Conservation at Mauerbach Charterhouse remains an essential institution for the advancement of heritage preservation and traditional craftsmanship.
The Training Course
The European Heritage Training Course on the conservation of traditional masonry and architectural surfaces in lime technology at Mauerbach Charterhouse offers a comprehensive and immersive experience in the conservation and restoration of historic walls and their surfaces. The 2025 training course is part of an ongoing collaboration between European Heritage Volunteers and the Information and Training Centre for Heritage Conservation, which have jointly organised multiple European Heritage Training Courses since 2020, along with other events such as the 2022 European Heritage Volunteers Project Partners Meeting and the related conference “Heritage Skills – Past, Present and Future”.
The training course will begin with a detailed analysis of damage patterns, allowing participants to identify salt-related deterioration, humidity issues, and bio-deterioration affecting historic masonry and plaster surfaces. This first stage of the training course will focus on conducting an initial survey and documentation of the current condition of selected areas, laying the foundation for the development of appropriate conservation and restoration strategies.
A focus of the practical work will be the conservation of one of the most intriguing walls at the site, where original Baroque masonry incorporates parts of a medieval wall as well as roof tiles. This structure exemplifies the long history of material reuse and adaptation, offering a rare opportunity to examine and apply conservation measures to a composite surface spanning different historical periods. The hands-on component will cover a range of traditional techniques, including lime slaking, mortar and plaster mixing using diverse aggregates, consolidation of historic lime surfaces, injections of lime slurry and liquid lime mortar, salt reduction methods, pigment preparation, and the application of lime wash and traditional paints.
The training course will be led by an experienced team of heritage professionals, including a master craftsman specialising in architectural surfaces. With over three decades of expertise in the field, they will provide technical guidance, theoretical insights, and practical demonstrations, ensuring that participants develop a solid understanding of both traditional materials and contemporary conservation approaches.
In addition to the practical training, the participants will engage in lectures on relevant topics, expanding their knowledge of historic building materials, conservation of traditional masonry and plasters, and conservation ethics. A guided excursion to heritage sites managed by Burghauptmannschaft Österreich will further enrich the programme. These sites, which have either recently undergone or are currently undergoing conservation interventions, will offer direct exposure to real-world conservation projects, illustrating the challenges and methodologies applied in professional practice.
A component of the educational programme will be the presentations prepared by the participants, encouraging intercultural exchange and professional dialogue. Each participant will be invited to prepare a presentation on a topic from their home country that relates to both the site and the conservation techniques explored during the training course. The proposed theme for these presentations is "The Use of Lime in Historic Masonry and Plaster Conservation: Regional Practices and Contemporary Challenges." This topic will allow the participants to compare historical approaches to lime-based construction and preservation, as well as ongoing conservation efforts worldwide.
Through a combination of hands-on conservation work, expert-led instruction, structured academic discussions, and site visits, the training course will provide participants with a strong foundation in lime-based heritage conservation. The experience will not only enhance technical skills but also reinforce the importance of material authenticity, sustainability, and the continued transmission of traditional craftsmanship in the field of architectural conservation.
The training course will take place from the July 21st to August 2nd, 2025, and is jointly organised by the Information and Training Centre for Heritage Conservation of the Federal Monument Authority of Austria and European Heritage Volunteers, in collaboration with the Burghauptmannschaft Österreich.
