Holešov is striving to obtain the title of Historical Town of the Year 2017

Holešov - Holešov in the Kroměříž region is striving to acquire the title of Historical City of the Year 2017. In the national round, it will represent the Zlín Region, having placed ahead of Uherské Hradiště, Uherský Brod, and Kroměříž in the regional round. This was stated today by Petra Zelinková, spokesperson for the Kroměříž branch of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). Last year, Holešov was the only town to apply for the regional round. It also advanced to the national competition, but did not succeed.

The award is given for exemplary care of heritage buildings and the historical heritage of the city, as well as for the best preparation and implementation of the regeneration program for urban heritage reserves and zones. The winner will be announced in April in Prague on International Monuments and Sites Day.

With the support of the regeneration program, several restorations have been carried out in Holešov in recent years. "Traditionally, funds from the program are used for the gradual renovation of the interior of the parish church. All ten side altars have successfully been restored, and the main altar has been under reconstruction for three years now. We also used the funds from the program for the repair of the facades and roofs of the castle," said Karel Bartošek, a historian and heritage conservationist from the Holešov town hall, to ČTK today.

Last year, the town began the reconstruction of the area of the former meat shops; this year, according to Bartošek, the restoration of the entrance bridge to the castle should begin. "The modern bridge will be demolished, and visitors will have access to the early Baroque bridge that was discovered beneath it," the heritage conservationist stated.

In the urban heritage zone of Holešov, there are 21 cultural monuments. Their area covers 47 hectares, of which 36 hectares comprise the castle park. "The most significant part of the heritage zone is the Baroque complex of the Rottal Castle with its extensive park. The town has owned the castle since 2005 and has built a cultural and social center within it, where events for the general public are organized," Zelinková stated.

According to her, the quality of the city's approach to restoring monuments is evidenced by two nominations in 2017 for the NPÚ Patrimonium pro futuro Award. Two projects were nominated - the restoration of the main facade of Holešov Castle and the discovery of a Gothic ceiling in a house on Dr. E. Beneš Square.

Winners of regional rounds will receive 100,000 crowns from the regeneration program. The winner of the national round will receive one million crowns. The first holder of the title Historical City of the Year was Svitavy in 1994. Last year, it was awarded to Jičín. From the cities in the Zlín Region, Kroměříž succeeded in 1997 and Uherské Hradiště in 2011.