Czech heritage protection law too soft

The Czech law on heritage protection is too soft to save the country's numerous architectural treasures, according to Monday's edition of Lidove Noviny. The paper says that while some treasures are being properly looked after, others are in a dilapidated condition and there is no way of forcing their owners to invest in them. Although the law on heritage protection states that the owner of such a building is obliged to provide for maintenance, keep it in good condition and protect it from devaluation Lidove Noviny claims that in practice it is almost impossible to enforce. Michal Zachar, director of the National Heritage Institute explained that if the heritage owner showed at least a minimal interest in the building - such as repairing a chimney - then the authorities could not fine him for neglecting his duty. Zachar told the paper that in the past ten years the heritage protection authorities had imposed only one high fine to the tune of one million Czech crowns.