The signboards in Znojmo are gaining a uniform appearance

Znojmo - The signboards and advertisements on businesses in the city heritage reserve of Znojmo have been acquiring a unified appearance for a year. The aim of these changes, which many business owners initially received very coldly, is to restore the charm of the historical core of the city. About half of all disruptive advertisements, neon signs, and company symbols have already been removed, said the city hall spokeswoman Denisa Šipošová today.
    Although the heritage care law states that property owners in heritage reserves are obliged to consult building modifications, including the appearance of signboards, with experts, this is said to have been insufficient for the protection of Znojmo's historical core.
    Many business owners ignored the law. They had signboards made according to their own designs without proper approval. If any advertisement was consulted with heritage experts, it was always assessed individually, without considering the overall appearance of the reserve.
    Znojmo has therefore decided to fundamentally change the situation. It enlisted the help of three architects. Business owners in the city center can turn to them with requests to create a new sign. The city hall covers the architects' services. Operators receive proposals approved by heritage experts, from which they can choose at their discretion. The city then partially subsidizes the production of new signs.
    No other historical cities in South Moravia have a similar system so far. The Znojmo heritage reserve is unique. It was declared in 1971. It consists of approximately 150 buildings located in areas where urban development began in the 11th century.