Not yet possible to assess changes over time

Cultural heritage elements in the agricultural landscape are being registered and investigated through the 3Q monitoring programme. So far, about 1500 buildings and other structures have been registered during two years of field work in nine counties. Since information on the condition of these structures is only available from a single survey at present, it is not possible to say anything about changes over time.

The results also illustrates the way previously open farmland becomes overgrown when it is no longer actively used. This makes it more difficult to locate cultural heritage elements.

Most cultural heritage elements in good condition

Of the 1500 structures that have been registered, 85% are considered to be in good condition, 12% show signs of neglect and decay, and 3% are classified as ruins.

Three-quarters of the structures registered are dwellings, outhouses (e.g. garages, woodsheds), and farm buildings such as barns/livestock sheds and storehouses.

The situation is best for dwellings, 92% of which were registered as being in good condition.  For other farm buildings, 83% were registered as being in good condition, 15% showed signs of neglect and decay, and 2% were classified as ruins. Cowsheds on summer dairy farms are in the poorest state: only 23% were registered as being in good condition, 30% showed signs of neglect and decay, and 47% were ruins.