Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges joins the REFRESH project to study climate change on old buildings. Alderman Nico Blontrock highlights efforts to protect the museum from water damage and humidity.
As VRT News reported, the Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges is taking part in an international project called REFRESH. This project studies how climate change affects old and important buildings. Officials mentioned that water plays a big role in this because it moves through the ground, walls, and inside these buildings.
This can cause damage like dampness, salt buildup, and mould growth. With climate change causing more floods, changing water levels, and higher humidity, it is important to learn how water affects these heritage sites. REFRESH aims to collect information to find ways.
How is the Gruuthuse museum in Bruges tackling climate change risks to heritage?
According to officials, the Gruuthuse Museum is a good place for climate research because it is next to a canal and surrounded by gardens. Researchers are studying how this water affects the building and its inside.
Alderman Nico Blontrock says this helps the REFRESH team learn how to protect old buildings from problems caused by climate change. He added that the work will help keep the museum and other historic places safe in the future.
Over the coming years, the Gruuthuse Museum will be closely studied using special sensors. These devices will check conditions outside the building’s walls and soil to track how water and moisture move. A weather station on the roof will record temperature, humidity, wind, and rain continuously.
Inside, sensors will measure temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide in 4 museum galleries. Alderman Nico Blontrock says that this data will help experts understand how changes in the indoor climate might affect the museum’s collection and structure.
Researchers at the Gruuthuse Museum are measuring how materials like oak, marble, glass, plaster, and copper react to changes in temperature and humidity. The nearby Reie River’s impact on the museum’s old brickwork is also being examined.
They mentioned that water close to the building can weaken its structure and cause lasting damage. This work will help experts find new ways to protect the museum and other historic sites from the threats of climate change.
“Museums and other historical buildings are also experiencing the consequences of climate change. We must therefore find sustainable solutions for heritage to ensure its preservation,”
The alderman concludes.
The Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges, dating back to the 15th century, was originally the residence of a noble family. Today, it serves as a cultural landmark, housing a valuable collection of medieval art and artefacts.
Officials mentioned that the museum’s historic architecture and rich exhibits highlight Bruges’ significance as a major trade hub in Europe’s past. As a key heritage site, the Gruuthuse Museum attracts visitors and scholars interested in the city’s medieval history and cultural legacy.
