Heritage Protectors Call for the Declaration of Zones in Brno, Concerned About the Destruction of Buildings

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Brno – The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) called for the swift declaration of two heritage zones in Brno aimed at preventing the destruction of valuable buildings. The institute also stated in a press release that the city's political representation is taking steps to suspend the declaration of the zones, which Deputy Mayor Tomáš Koláčný (Pirates) rejected in response.

"Discussions on this matter are ongoing, and through the professionally justified comments from the city, the Ministry of Culture can adjust the proposal for the heritage zones," Koláčný stated. The declaration of zones falls under the jurisdiction of the ministry.

Part of the city's historical architectural and urban heritage is at risk due to an administrative error and inadequate listing in the cultural heritage register from 1988. This is a long-standing issue; hundreds of buildings have formally lost their heritage protection, which some owners have exploited.

"Several quality buildings with undeniable architectural and historical value have already been demolished, and applications for further demolitions have been made," the NPÚ statement reads.

The proposal for the heritage zones includes neighborhoods adjacent to the western, northern, and eastern sides of the historical core, which has been a city heritage reserve since 1989, as well as the historical part of Královo Pole. The zones should protect the appearance of façades and the fronts of houses and prevent arbitrary destruction.

Discussions about the zones lasted almost three years. The map and textual materials were taken over by the Ministry of Culture for final verification at the beginning of the year. However, the NPÚ suggests that Brno is stalling the process. "This is an unprecedented situation in the context of the protection of cultural heritage in the Czech Republic and represents one of the most serious threats to the cultural heritage of the city in modern history," the institute stated.

According to Koláčný, the city leadership is aware that heritage zones are the only viable path. Individual listings of individual buildings would take many years.

"The length and complexity of the discussion on this topic were caused by the positions of the city districts Brno-střed and Brno-Královo Pole, which initially categorically rejected any blanket protection of valuable buildings, while the city heritage zones will primarily be located in their areas," Koláčný noted. He added that after the third round table, both city districts began to cooperate and recognized that heritage zones are the right way forward.

Due to the late listing in the heritage register in 1988 and 1989, hundreds of buildings lost their heritage status not only in southern Moravia. There are 1,405 such buildings in Brno alone. The loss of heritage status was confirmed by a ruling from the Supreme Administrative Court.