The Historical Town of the Year 2025 is Náměšť nad Oslavou in the Vysočina region

Prague – The title of Historical City of the Year 2025 was awarded to Náměšť nad Oslavou. The award is a recognition for utilizing funds for the restoration of monuments from the Ministry of Culture's program. The award was received by the mayor of the city, Jan Kotačka (Cooperation – activities), at today's ceremony in the Church of St. Anne – Prague Crossroads. The competition is organized by the Association of Historical Settlements of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia together with the Ministries of Culture and Regional Development.

The organizers assess the best application of subsidies from the Ministry of Culture's programs for urban monument reserves and zones in the competition. This year, the jury selected from 13 cities in the final 32nd edition. Last year, the title of Historical City of the Year 2024 was awarded to Moravská Třebová.

Mayor Kotačka told ČTK that he values the competition because the organizers are interested in how municipalities and cities care for cultural heritage. According to him, a catalog should be created detailing all that has been restored in the Czech Republic. "This is a thank you not only to the current council and city leadership, but to all the predecessors who have always cared for the monuments in Náměšť nad Oslavou," said Kotačka.

According to the jury, the city systematically and continuously restores historical objects and exemplarily collaborates with the administrators of Náměšť Castle from the National Heritage Institute. Not far from the castle stands the memorial Žižkův oak, probably the oldest oak in the Czech Republic. Last year, they implemented the restoration of a former manufactory from the program for the regeneration of heritage zones in Náměšť nad Oslavou. In recent years, the city has had a historic bridge repaired and replicas of Baroque sculptures placed on it. It has also started repairing the old town hall and is preparing a project for the restoration of its interiors.

The award from the Ministry of Regional Development, accompanied by a prize of 100,000 crowns, was awarded to Kolín in Central Bohemia and Nový Jičín in Moravian-Silesian region. The prize of 100,000 crowns is also designated for regional winners. A special recognition was given to Kadaň from the Ústí region for its systematic and long-term work. Kadaň was named Historical City of the Year in 1995.

Along with thanks, there were also concerns about the future of heritage care voiced at the ceremony. According to Jiří Vajčner, director of the cultural heritage section of the Ministry of Culture, the programs for the regeneration of reserves and zones this year have a budget of 600 million crowns, which is 100 million crowns less than last year. Vajčner said that heritage care and the care for historical centers of cities and municipalities therefore face many new challenges.

"Even we at the Ministry of Culture are facing demands for the reduction of heritage zones and the abolishment of heritage zones, even from cities that are very friendly," Vajčner stated. He also mentioned the issue of sustainability in heritage care as another challenge.

Karel Kuča, vice president of the Czech National Committee of ICOMOS, an advisory body of UNESCO, warned against thoughtless legislative changes. He fears changes to the legal environment that could be caused by the amendment to the building law and the related amendment to the heritage law and the law on the protection of nature and the landscape.

In the Czech Republic, there are about 40,000 immovable monuments, 39 urban monument reserves, and 255 urban monument zones. The award is presented on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites on April 18.