High up: working at the highest point of the parish church of St. Stephan!

High up: working at the highest point of the parish church of St. Stephan!

A lot has happened in Mindelheim in the last few weeks, and high up. The tower of the parish church of St. Stephan, which at an impressive 65 meters is the highest place of work in the Lower Allgäu, is currently being extensively renovated. Craftsmen use a freight elevator to transport materials such as slate and their own tools to the top of the tower. But this isn't just a job; it is also an adventure at lofty heights. The craftsmen are challenged because the slate roof has been badly affected by wind and weather and the work requires a lot of skill and experience.

Special features such as the historic slate roof have become rare in Germany. Schieferdach.net notes that slate roofs are one of the most beautiful roof structures and are famous for their longevity. The lifespan of a slate roof is between 80 and 150 years, which makes economic sense compared to conventional roofs, which only last around 40 years. The art of covering a slate roof is a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations. This is also evident not least in the renovation of the parish church in Mindelheim.

Working behind the scenes

But the craftsmen's services are not just limited to installing new slate tiles. Parts of the tower's wooden structure also need to be replaced due to rot damage. The structural engineer Wendelin Bruland is regularly on site to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the structure's statics are maintained. “Caution is advised,” said one of the roofers as he worked on the narrow scaffolding. At these altitudes, it's not just the craftsmen's nerves that are put to the test; The changeable weather also causes difficulties. Rain, wind and even snow have had an impact on the work in recent weeks.

The renovation costs for the entire project amount to around 300,000 euros. The work is expected to be completed in approximately four weeks, which is welcome news for community members and visitors to the city. The view from the scaffolding of the old town and Mindelburg is magnificent, but everyone involved still has to be on their guard. It takes a good hand to work safely at this height.

Slate: A traditional building material

The renovation of the tower is also a sign of the appreciation of the slate material, which has been used in Germany since the Middle Ages. Slate was particularly popular in representative buildings such as churches, castles and town halls. The availability and longevity of the material, especially in the Rhenish Slate Mountains, should not be underestimated. The material is also offered by professional providers such as Schieferdach.net, who respond to individual inquiries and provide further information about slate roofs and facades.

The understated elegance and durability of slate make it an excellent material that will continue to be valued in architecture. If everything goes according to plan, the tower of St. Stephan will soon shine in all its glory again and continue to attract the people of Mindelheim from above.

All eyes are on the parish church - not only because of its impressive architecture, but also because of the exciting renovation work. It remains to be seen what stories the new slates will tell! For anyone interested in finding out more about the traditional techniques and modern applications of slate roofs, it is worth taking a look at Schieferdach.net or the Framework Competence Center, which offer exciting information and background information.

In a few weeks, Mindelheim could not only shine with a new slate roof, but also with the impressive history that this renovation brings with it.