09/01/2025
On January 8, 2025, the Wanderausstellung Kulturgüterschutz was officially opened at the Military Command of Lower Austria. Colonel dhmfD Mag. Philipp A. Loske, Liaison Officer for Military Cultural Property Protection, gave a tour of the exhibition, which will be hosted by the Military Command of Lower Austria until the end of January before continuing its journey through all Austrian military commands.
The protection of cultural property is not only a legally mandated military task but is also gaining importance as a central element of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and strengthening international security. The exhibition was initiated by the Centre for Leadership and Defence Awareness of the National Defence Academy, in cooperation with Directorate 1 of the Federal Army, the Federal Monuments Office, and the Austrian Society for Cultural Property Protection, initiated this exhibition with the aim of presenting the basics of (military) cultural property protection in the Austrian Armed Forces and raising awareness of its importance both within and outside the armed forces.
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Michaela Kukula
The Austrian Armed Forces and the Hague Convention
Austria is legally obligated under the Hague Convention to ensure the protection of cultural property during military operations. The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of May 14, 1954 (Hague Convention), supplemented by its two Protocols (1954 and 1999), was the first international legal instrument devoted exclusively to this issue. It was ratified by the Republic of Austria in 1964.
Since 1980, the Austrian Armed Forces have been systematically involved in the protection of cultural property and have deployed cultural property protection officers in multinational operations and EU missions. For this reason, the "Directive for the Military Protection of Cultural Property and the Military Preservation of Cultural Heritage" was created, which, according to §2 of the Austrian Armed Forces Act of 2001, must be taken into account in all operations of the armed forces. The protection of cultural property is one of the central tasks of the Austrian Armed Forces. This includes both domestic operations, such as disaster relief, as well as foreign missions. At the National Defence Academy, the protection of cultural property is integrated into research, teaching, and training at the Centre for Leadership and Defence Awareness.
Protecting cultural property through civil-military cooperation
The Hague Convention stipulates that measures to protect cultural property from the foreseeable consequences of armed conflict must be taken in peacetime. This principle is also reflected in the Military Protection of Cultural Property Directive, which states that civilian authorities may be assisted by the armed forces if they so request.
In order to optimise cooperation between the armed forces and the government and civilian authorities, joint exercises are carried out on various threat scenarios to cultural property.
The Center for Cultural Property Protection organises and conducts specially designed exercises in which civilian and military actors can test their cooperation in realistic disaster scenarios and simulation games.
→ Learn more about our Cultural Pproperty Protection Exercises
The exhibition provides a comprehensive insight into the history, legal basis and practical measures of cultural property protection. It demonstrates the importance of preserving and protecting cultural property in times of conflict and crisis, and the role of cultural property protection in peacekeeping and the protection of soldiers.
The Wanderausstellung Kulturgüterschutz can be visited on the morning of 14 January and all day on 21 and 22 January by prior arrangement.
Please register with Colonel Volker Chytil at volker.chytil@bmlv.gv.at
Military Command Lower Austria
Field Marshal Hess Command Building
Hall of object 1
Schießstattring 8/10, 3100 St. Pölten
The exhibition is only offered in German.
A valid photo identification is required to enter the military premises.
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