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SpotlightOlomouc - a treasure trove of historical architecture
With its sloping cobbled streets, beautiful baroque churches and an
abundance of historical architecture, Olomouc is easily one of the most
appealing cities in the Czech Republic outside of Prague. Typically, this
bustling university town in North Moravia owes much of its architectural
splendour to its long and somewhat chequered past. Some claim that this
ancient city dates back as far as Roman times, when it was reputed to have
been founded by Julius Caesar himself. More
Current AffairsPrague conservationists launch new web pages
In terms of its architecture Prague has long ranked as one of the most
beautiful capitals in the world, but fifteen years ago it was also a site
of devastation: a city full of crumbling facades and long-neglected,
run-down buildings. Today it is unrecognisable. Every year since 1989 the
city has seen millions of crowns of private investment pour into the
restoration of the fabric of the old city, under the cautious supervision
of conservation officers. Now the work of Prague's conservation office, as
well as some of its successes, and some of the city's conservation
disasters can even be viewed on a new internet site.
More
ArtsLooking back: The floods and their impact on the Czech cultural heritage
What you're hearing is the sound of water from the Vltava River, as it
flooded through the rooms of the old castle in Roztoky near Prague exactly
two years ago. Roztoky was one of many Bohemian towns with a precious
architectural heritage that suffered in the floods. More
Current AffairsCzech commission to UNESCO urges city planners to respect character of historic centre
Just a few days ago the Czech commission to UNESCO chaired by Senator
Jaroslava Moserova issued an appeal to the Culture Ministry and Prague's
Town Hall to do their utmost to preserve the character of Prague's
historic city centre. The appeal came on the heels of several experts'
assessments that if certain controversial projects were realised, it might
lead to Prague's being struck off UNESCO's list of world heritage sites.
The Czech capital has been included on the list since 1992 - is there any
real weight to the threat it might be struck off in the future?
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