Every movable National Cultural Property is also classified as a movable heritage object, thus Act No. 20/1987 Coll. on State Heritage Preservation, as amended, which sets out measures for the protection of movable cultural heritage, also applies to movable National Cultural Properties.
According to the Act, the owners of cultural heritage are primarily responsible for its protection, but responsibility also lies with all citizens and residents of the Czech Republic as well as relevant institutions. The basic regulations for the protection of movable cultural monuments are set out in §9, §11 and especially §14 of Act 20/1987 Coll.
Reporting obligations for owners of movable heritage objects
The reporting obligations set out in §12 of Act 20/1987 Coll. have a significant impact on the protection of heritage. These obligations also apply to owners of National Cultural Properties.
Reporting obligations relating to the Central Register of Cultural Heritage - change of ownership (or administration or usage) and relocation of object
According to §7 of Act 20/1987 Coll., the owner is obliged to notify the National Heritage Institute of any change of ownership (or administration or usage), or the relocation of an object, within 30 days of the change. This obligation also applies to owners of National Cultural Properties.
The Central Register of Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic is managed by the Central Branch/Headquarters of the Institute. Therefore, the owner must send notification of changes to the Narodni pamatkový ustav, ustředni pracoviště, Valdštejnske nam. 162/3, Praha 1 - Mala Strana or by email to edis@up.npu.cz or up@up.npu.cz.
Relocation of a Movable Heritage Objects
Movable heritage objects (or parts thereof) can be relocated. Relocation is governed by §18 of Act 20/1987 Coll. In cases where the relocation moves the monument from a publicly accessible location to one that is not accessible to the public, the owner must seek approval in advance from the relevant regional authority, which will in turn seek a ruling from the National Heritage Institute. The same rules also apply to owners of National Cultural Properties. In other cases, the owner is only bound by the obligation to report the relocation to the Central Register following the move.
The owner must advise the Central Branch/Headquarters of the Institute within 30 days of the relocation (see also "Reporting obligations relating to the Central Register of Cultural Heritage - change of ownership (or administration or usage) and relocation of monuments").
Sale of Movable Cultural Heritage or Movable National Cultural Heritage - the state's right of first refusal
A special protective provision in case of a sale is the state's right of first refusal, specified in §13 of Act 20/1987 Coll. When the sale is not between related persons or co-owners, an owner intending to sell the heritage is obliged to offer it first to the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. This applies to movable heritage classified as either a cultural monument or a National Cultural Property. The Ministry has a period of three months to exercise its option, after which the right of first refusal expires.
In circumstances where the object was sold without being offered to the state first, the Ministry may exercise its right of first refusal for up to three years following the sale.