Luxembourg craft inscribed on UNESCO heritage list
GukHwa Jang, Unsplash
On 5 December 2024, at the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee in Asunción (Paraguay), the "Art of Dry Stone Walling" was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This initiative brought together 14 countries, including Luxembourg, France, Italy and Spain, to emphasise the importance of preserving ancient craft traditions.
Dry masonry, or Dréchemauerbauen, is a construction technique where stones are laid without the use of cement or other bonding materials. Only the mass and points of contact create a stable and durable structure. This technique has been used for centuries to reinforce terraces, create drainage and irrigation systems, and beautify rural landscapes.
Special attention is paid to the stone structures along the Moselle, the romantic trails of Little Switzerland and the terraces in the Mullertal area, which make Luxembourg an important centre for this craft in the Greater Region.
The inclusion of this art on the UNESCO list emphasises the role of international cooperation and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Drywalls serve not only as a symbol of craftsmanship, but also as a practical tool for landscape conservation, natural resource management and the maintenance of biodiversity.
