The historic centre of Český Krumlov in the South Bohemian Region has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992. It is a medieval residential town that developed from the 13th century in the meanders of the Vltava.[2]
Inscription on the UNESCO list
Český Krumlov was inscribed on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List on 4 December 1992. According to the town, this was a turning point in its modern history: thanks to its continuous historic built fabric, Český Krumlov became one of the first three towns in the Czech Republic under the protection of this organisation.[1] The Czechoslovak Republic nominated the centre for inscription in 1991, within the extent of the urban conservation area. It cited criteria (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) as fulfilled.[1]
In the nomination documents the state stated that the centre is a uniquely preserved and developmentally complete whole that was not affected by more recent development. The architectural ensemble in its landscape setting includes a complex configuration of terrain. The centre documents building and artistic activity of the 15th and 16th centuries and has preserved its original urban structure, namely the plot division, the massing, the shape of the roofs and the expression of the façades, as well as a large number of carpentry, joinery, blacksmith, locksmith and stonemasonry details. According to the nomination, the group of burgher houses is evidence of traditional dwelling from the Gothic through the Renaissance to later styles.[1]
ICOMOS, which acts in an advisory capacity to the World Heritage Committee, found criterion (iv) fulfilled in its 1992 evaluation. It described Český Krumlov as an example of a small medieval Central European town that owes its structure and buildings to its economic importance and to almost undisturbed organic development over more than five centuries. In its view, the development of the town can be read clearly from its buildings and urban structure.[1]
The bureau of the Intergovernmental World Heritage Committee discussed the nominations in July 1992. It recommended Český Krumlov but at the same time proposed that the Czech Republic adopt measures against the heavy pressure of tourism, which could endanger the monument. The Czech Republic received the official notice on the inclusion of the town's nomination, together with Telč and Prague, in September 1992.[1]
Character of the town
The National Heritage Institute describes the centre as an exceptionally valuable, intact whole that developed in close connection with the Rosenbergs, the most powerful Czech noble family. The town has retained its original urban structure and many burgher houses from the late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods with varied façade decoration. The value of the town also includes its articulated terrain, the arrangement of its architectural landmarks and its undisturbed connection with the surrounding landscape.[2]
The Gothic castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style into a château residence and completed in the Baroque period. From the district of Latrán, five courtyards extend uphill along a rocky ridge, with 41 buildings standing on them, and the complex is closed off by an extensive château garden.[2]