The article analyzes the problem of preserving cultural heritage on the basis of European experience. The purpose of this article is to study the current status of the protection of monuments of cultural heritage in Europe, to identify new trends and approaches related to the preservation of the universal cultural heritage in modern conditions. The authors defined the structure of the modern European system for the protection of cultural heritage, an analysis of the regulatory and legal framework that provides European protection of cultural property, and examined interstate and public institutions.