Oficiální stránky zámku Český Krumlov - Český Krumlov celebrates 20 years on the UNESCO List

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Český Krumlov celebrates 20 years on the UNESCO List

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Český Krumlov celebrates 20 years on the UNESCO List

The year 2012 is the twentieth year of the incription of the historic centre of Český Krumlov into the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also the fortieth anniversary of the Convention of World Natural and Cultural Heritage which estabilishes the status of a monument and natural phenomenon deserving the recognition and protection of UNESCO.

The inclusion on the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List on 4th December 2012 was of the most important moments in the town´s modern history. The act of inclusion onto the UNESCO List itself was also a significant signal to the entire cultural world that there is a monument of great beauty to be found in South Bohemia.

Justification for the inclusion onto the UNESCO List

In 1991, the Czechoslovak Republic proposed that the historic core of the municipal historic reserve of Český Krumlov be included on the World Heritage List. The opinion was held that the historic core fulfils criteria (i), (ii), (iv), and (v) indicated in §24 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention from 1991.

The contracting state added this information to the criteria in the initial documentation:

ad i) The historic centre of Český Krumlov represents an uniquely preserved and developmentally closed urban ensemble which was not, nor will ir perceivably be, significantly influenced by modern progress.

ad ii) The architectural compilation of Český Krumlov, in an un repeatable landscape structure of a complex European terrain, represents an unique historic urban ensemble.

ad iii) The historic centre of Český Krumlov illustrates a high level of architectural and artistic activities of the 15th and 16th centuries. Not only has it retained its original urban structure (tracts, material composition, roof shapes, facades, etc.), but it also excels in its richness of original dispositions, vaulted spaces, and interiors. The amount of historic detail - carpentry, framing, blacksmithing, locksmithing, and stonework - is quite exceptional. All these values, together with the dramatic configuration of the terrain and natural setting, create a very effective unique whole.

ad v) The collection of Český Krumlov burgher homes is an unique testimony to traditional dwellings from the Gothic, Renaissance, and subsequent ages, with the respective disposition, construction, and architectural details still preserved.

ICOMOS, in the evaluation that it prepared for the World Heritage Committee in 1992 stated that the historic core of Český Krumlov fulfils criterion (iv):

"Český Krumlov is an outstanding example of a central European small town dating from the Middle Ages that owes the structure and buildings of its historic core to its economic importance and relatively undisturbed organic development over some five centuries. The town grew up within a meander of the Vltava River, which provides a natural setting of great beauty. Its evolution over time is evident with starling clarity from its buildings and its urban infrastructure." Český Krumlov is indisputably the best preserved and most representative living example of a Medieval Central European small town.

In July of 1992, the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee discussed the proposal to include the Historic Centre of Český Krumlov on the UNESCO List. Český Krumlov was recommended for inscription, but the Committee recommended the Czech Republic to take all necessary measures to deal with the great pressure of tourism that could threaten this property. In September of 1992, the Czech Republic was officially informed of the approval of the nomination of Český Krumlov for inscription on the UNESCO List (together with Prague and Telč).

Based on the ICOMOS evaluation, which was agreed by the World Heritage Comittee at its 16th meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexiko in 1992, on December 4, 1992, the historic centre of Český Krumlov (nomination No. 617) was inscribed on the World Heritage List (document WHC-92/CONF.002/12).