Civic Committee for the Restoration of Cracow Heritage: origin, experience, programme

Main Article Content

DOI

Bogusław Krasnowolski

brasnowol@interia.pl

Abstract

The Committee (acronym: SKOZK) was established in 1978, following listing Krakow as a world heritage site. It fulfilled expectations from the past, when heritage assets were damaged by industrial pollution and state ideology curtailed financing of works on sacred and private grounds.
An undoubted strength of the early time was the recognition of Krakow heritage protection as a matter of state importance, while the domination of political circumstances remained a weakness.
The political transformation of 1989/90 changed the environment: SKOZK was now dominated by heritage preservation milieus, and members were appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland, and his Chancellery provided a major part of financial means. As grants generally cover up to 50% of the cost, the fund has a stimulating role as beneficiaries need to find sources for matching funds. Since 1990, the Committee’s activity has concentrated on the most valuable complexes: Wawel, the historical centre of the city, former town of Kazimierz with Jewish quarter, and the most treasurable enclaves situated on the outskirts of the city.
Achievements of SKOZK include development of a model for cooperation between private (NGO) and public (central and territorial authorities) sectors, definition of strategic goals, and a priority of the ensuing tasks.

Keywords:

SKOZK,, Civic Committee for the Restoration of Cracow Heritage, heritage protection, heritage management

References

Article Details

Krasnowolski, B. (2017). Civic Committee for the Restoration of Cracow Heritage: origin, experience, programme. Protection of Cultural Heritage, (4), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.24358/ODK_2017_04_01
Author Biography

Bogusław Krasnowolski, Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow

(ur. 1943) dr hab., prof. Uniwersytetu Papieskiego Jana Pawła II w Krakowie, wykładowca na Akademii Sztuk Pięknych, od 1990 wiceprzewodniczący Społecznego Komitetu Odnowy Zabytków Krakowa, historyk sztuki i historyk, autor licznych publikacji naukowych zwłaszcza z zakresu średniowiecznej urbanistyki Małopolski, sztuki Krakowa i Małopolski, problematyki konserwatorskiej.