According to the Act on State Heritage Preservation, it is the owners of cultural heritage who 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 principles for the protection of immovable cultural monuments are set out in §9, §11 and §14 of Act No. 20/1987 Coll. (external link).
All immovable National Cultural Propertys are also covered by the same act.
Reporting obligations binding owners of immovable cultural monuments
The reporting obligations set out in §12 of Act 20/1987 Coll., have a significant impact on the protection of monuments. These obligations also apply to owners of National Cultural Propertys.
Reporting obligations of the owner to the Central Cultural Heritage Register _ change of ownership (or administration or usage) and relocation of heritage
According to §7, 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 a heritage object, within 30 days of the change. This obligation also applies to owners of National Cultural Heritage.
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 Central Branch/Headquarters (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 an Immovable Cultural Monument
In case of a serious threat to the heritage value of a monument, it is permitted to relocate the monument or part thereof. Relocation is governed by §18, Act 20/1987 Coll. The owner must seek approval in advance from the relevant regional authority, which will in turn seek a technical opinion from the National Heritage Institute. The same rules also apply to owners of National Cultural Propertys.
The owner must advise the 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 monument").
Sale of an Immovable Cultural Monument
The owner is required to report a change of ownership to the Central Register of Cultural Heritage within 30 days of the sale. (See also "Reporting obligations relating to the Central Register of Cultural Heritage - change of ownership (or administration or usage) and relocation of monument").
Sale of an Immovable National Cultural Property - the state's right of first refusal
A special protective provision in case of a sale of a National Cultural Property, 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 a National Cultural Property is obliged to offer it first to the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. The Ministry has a period of six months to exercise its option, after which the right of first refusal expires.
In circumstances where the monument 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.
Buffer Zones around Immovable Heritage Monuments
For added protection for a cultural monument and its wider environment, a buffer zone may be declared as per §17 of Act 20/1987.
Immovable Cultural Monuments and Planning Analytical Materials
The protection of immovable monuments is also enshrined in Act No. 183/2006 Coll. - Spatial Planning and Building Regulations, as amended. It mandates the correct processing of planning analytical materials and their use in preparing planning documentation. The NPU provides details for planning analytical materials.