The mechanical characterisation of existing masonry in historical structures encounters several technical dif-ficulties due to the complexity and heterogeneity of this traditional material, as well as to the need for respectful inspec-tion activities able to preserve the cultural heritage value of the building. This paper presents and discusses different Minor Destructive Testing (MDT) techniques oriented at estimating, either in-situ or in the laboratory, the mechanical properties of masonry at the level of components, such as units, tiles, and mortar joints, and at the level of the composite material. The research addresses different issues related to the execution of laboratory tests on sampled historical mate-rials, such as selection of the size and shape of specimens, different types of treatments for the sample, testing protocols, and experimental setup. The complementary use of Finite Element Method (FEM) models represents a valuable activity to provide a good understanding of the experimental behaviour exhibited by the specimens, and especially concerning the execution of non-standard laboratory tests. The possibility of in-situ MDT is explored considering techniques based on different portable instruments, previously calibrated through ad-hoc experimental programs under controlled labora-tory conditions. The research is based on a high number of tests executed at the UPC within the context of several experimental programs linked to projects of adaptive reuse of existing masonry buildings and design of green rooftops in Barcelona.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Spanish Government (MCIU), the State Agency of Research (AEI) as well as that of the ERDF (European Regional De-velopment Fund) through the project SEVERUS (Multilevel evaluation of seismic vulnerability and risk mitigation of masonry buildings in resilient historical urban centres, ref. Num. RTI2018-099589-B-I00). The first author gratefully acknowledges the owners of the historical buildings investigated, as well as people from the institutions and companies involved in the studies and projects mentioned in this work and in particular Sergio Carratalá from MataAlta. The second and third authors gratefully acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the AGAUR agency of the Generalitat de Catalunya, for the financial support of their predoctoral grants.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats SosteniblesObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles::11.4 - Redoblar els esforços per a protegir i salvaguardar el patrimoni cultural i natural del mónObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al ClimaObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al Clima::13.2 - Incorporar mesures relatives al canvi climàtic en les polítiques, les estratègies i els plans nacionalsObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al Clima::13.1 - Enfortir la resiliència i la capacitat d’adaptació als riscos relacionats amb el clima i els desastres naturals a tots els païsosPostprint (author's final draft
