Czech government grants national cultural heritage status to nine Prague palaces and historic sites

The Czech government has approved the designation of several landmarks as National Cultural Monuments, granting them the country’s highest level of heritage protection. The new list includes the Moravská Třebová Chateau, the church and ossuary chapel in Sedlec near Kutná Hora, and the church with catacombs and the Latin school building in Klatovy.

Also gaining the prestigious status are nine Baroque palaces in Prague, according to a government decree announced by Culture Minister Martin Baxa following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

Of the nine Prague palaces, six are owned by the state, two belong to the City of Prague, and the Archbishop’s Palace is owned by the Church. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages the Černín Palace and Tuscany Palace in Hradčany, while the Ministry of Culture itself is housed in the Nostitz Palace in Malá Strana. The National Gallery Prague oversees three palaces on Hradčanské Square — the Schwarzenberg, Salm, and Šternberg Palaces. The remaining two, the Clam-Gallas and Colloredo-Mansfeld Palaces in the Old Town, are owned by the City of Prague.