How remote moisture monitoring supports cultural heritage

The wooden mosque in Bužim is the largest of its kind in Europe. Built in the 19th century using traditional techniques, entirely from wood and without nails, it holds significant cultural and religious value. However, the structure faces a growing threat: increased moisture levels within the building.

Located in a remote village, it takes four hours to reach the mosque from the nearest town. This made regular site visits impractical and ineffective for understanding how moisture was affecting the structure over time. A single inspection couldn’t provide enough insight to assess potential long-term damage or emerging risks such as fungal decay.

For Professor Miha Humar and his team, experts in wood durability and conservation, finding a reliable and non-invasive way to track moisture levels remotely was essential.

Tector’s wireless sensor system was installed throughout the wooden structure, including the roof, load-bearing beams and columns, and both internal and external walls to provide continuous, real-time monitoring of internal moisture conditions. Built for long-term use, the sensors collect detailed data without the need for invasive testing or repeat site visits.

With this data, the team can now assess how moisture accumulates in specific parts of the mosque and identify leaks early, giving them the chance to intervene before decay begins. The system also supports broader research into structural integrity and preservation strategies tailored to bio-based materials like oak.

This makes it possible to pair scientific insight with practical heritage conservation.

Within just a week of installation, Tector’s system confirmed Miha’s teams’ preliminary observations: a considerable leak exists in the building. While the presence of decay is currently hindered by the use of durable oak wood, continued exposure to moisture could still lead to fungal damage over time.

Now, the researchers can track changes remotely and with confidence, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming fieldwork.

This project is about protecting history. At a time when many wooden mosques in the Balkans have been destroyed, preserving this structure means preserving a living memory of cultural identity, craftsmanship, and resilience.

"As a faculty member at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, I believe that the use of the Tector system could be a perfect solution for performing long-term monitoring of the moisture content of the building. Suppose the respective monitoring is supported by the extensive analysis of the structural integrity of the building. In that case, we can provide accurate recommendations for the conservation of this important piece of cultural heritage."