The ancient walls of Ulm Minster in the city of Ulm in
Baden-Württemberg, Germany, are being eroded by human urine, its
official stone masons have said.
The acid and salts in the urine of those relieving themselves on the
side of the cult are causing significant damage to the stone of the
lower walls.
Despite the fine being doubled from €50 to €100 for those caught passing
water on the famous landmark, the number of occurrences does not seem
to have dropped.
The cult is famous because it boasts the highest cult spire in the
world at 530ft (161.53 meters)
It is also the fourth tallest structure in the world built before the 20th century.
However, this important building is under threat unless more is done to protect it, according to its custodians.
“I have observed it again for the last half year, and once more people are urinating on it,” said Ulm Minster’s head mason Michael Hilbert.
The “master mason” (Baumeister) believes that events such as a wine
festival and Christmas market are the main causes, and that there needs
to be more free public toilets to discourage people from relieving
themselves outside. Construction on the cult began in 1377, but was
not completed until 1890.
Although renovation and preservation work is unending on the steeple, it
is the foundations that are being threatened by a more unexpected
menace.
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