Czech UNESCO sights
- State manor and castle, Český Krumlov (since 1992)
- Historical center of Prague (1992)
- Historical center of Telč (1992)
- St. John of Nepomuk shrine, Zelená Hora, Ždár nad Sázavou (1994)
- Historical center of Kutná Hora with Church of St. Barbara and Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Sedlec (1995)
- Lednice Valdice area (1996)
- Holašovice rural area (1998)
- Archbishop's Palace and gardens, Kroměříž (1998)
- Castle and surroundings, Litomyšl (1999)
- The Holy Trinity Column, Olomouc (2000)
- Villa Tugendhat, Brno (2001)
- Jewish quarter and Basilica of St. Prokop, Třebíč (2003)
Liberec/Prague - A hilltop tower Ještěd that hosts a hotel and a television transmitter is another Czech landmark to be nominated for the inclusion in the famed UNESCO World Heritage list.
Ještěd heads the list of Czech sites suggested for nomination - however, the tower will enter the competition with other world's sites no sooner than in 2010.
"Yes, Ještěd will be our next nominee, provided the Ministry of Culture agrees to it," assured Michal Beneš, a UNESCO expert from the ministry.
Award winning and trendy
"We have decided to follow international recommendation and slow down new nominations. It means we won't nominate more than one monument in two years," explained Beneš why there won't be any nomination in 2009.
The monument that is towering above the town of Liberec beat other Czech sites that have been waiting to be included in the UNESCO nomination list. These include, for example, the system of fish ponds around the south-Bohemian town of Třeboň, west-Bohemian baths, Müller Villa in Prague, the Fortress of Terezín or the Karlštejn Castle.
"It is in accord with international trends of interest above all in technical monuments. Another important factor is that is has won an important architectonical award Perret prize," said Michal Beneš when summarizing the main advantages of Ještěd monument.
"Currently, all the necessary documentation is being prepared. "We have elaborated chapters on its history, photo documentation and description," informed Věra Kučová from the National Heritage Office whose job is to prepare the nomination.
The truth is that one year delay can be rather beneficial to Ještěd. "At least we have more time to work the documentation properly. There are still many unanswered questions, for example the stance of the owner, whose agreement is necessary," informed Beneš.
Rejection would block other landmarks
Věra Kučerová too has confirmed that the owner's consent is absolutely crucial.
The hotel and transmitter belongs to the Czech Radiocommunications company, while especially the transmitter is important to them.
If Ještěd would be unsuccessful, it would remain in a sort of vacuum, blocking other possible Czech nomination. "Officially, Ještěd's nomination would be laid aside with a possibility of its being discussed again only if a vacant place were to appear. In this scenario, we would draw back the nomination," explained Beneš.
Last year, the Czech Republic has nominated landmarks that once used to stand in a territory called the Great Moravia - a Central European empire from the 9th century AD. If approved by UNESCO, it will be included in the list in 2009. This year, a horse-breeding farm in Kladruby has been nominated.
