Prague will establish a commission for the protection of the historic center

Prague - The Council of the Capital City today approved the establishment of a commission for the protection of the historical center of Prague, which is a world heritage site listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Josef Štulc, president of the national committee of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), is to become the chairman of the commission. Tereza Králová, spokesperson for the Prague City Hall, informed ČTK.
     The commission, which is to be named the World Heritage Council, will be an advisory and initiative body of the Prague Council. Its establishment was recommended by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
     The historic core of Prague received monument protection as a whole in 1971, when the Prague Monument Reservation was declared. UNESCO then listed the reservation among the most valuable world heritage sites in December 1992. The Prague Monument Reservation covers more than eight square kilometers. It consists of the original walled city, which is relatively historically and architecturally unified. It includes especially Hradčany with Prague Castle, the Old Town, Josefov, Mala Strana, and New Town. Parts of Vyšehrad, Vinohrady, Holešovice, Podolí, and Smíchov are also included.
     The commission will have, in addition to the chairman, ten members and a secretary. Jan Kněžínek, former director of Prague's heritage protectors and current head of the UNESCO World Heritage Site office, has been proposed for the position of secretary. Members of the commission will include representatives of Prague's heritage protectors, the Ministry of Culture, the President's office, and city districts.