Country Summary for HUNGARY

Definitions

'Cultural object'—
(a) is classified, before or after its unlawful removal from the territory of a Member State, among the ‘national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value’ under national legislation or administrative procedures within the meaning of Article 30 (ex.36) of the Treaty, and
(b) belongs to one of the categories listed in the Annex or does not belong to one of these categories but forms an integral part of:
(i) public collections listed in the inventories of museums, archives or libraries’ conservation collection; or
(ii) the inventories of ecclesiastical institutions. (Act No. 80, Art. 2(1))

'Cultural assets'—outstanding and typical objects, images, sound recordings and written memories and other proof of the origin and development of lifeless and live nature, mankind, the Hungarian nation and the history of Hungary, as well as pieces of arts. (Act LXIV, Art. 7)

'Cultural heritage'—areas with archaeological interest, archaeological finds and archaeological sites, their protective zones, monuments, things of monument value and historical monument sites, as well as cultural assets. (Act LXIV, Art. 7)

'Monuments'—things of monument value that have been declared protected by legal acts on the basis of this Act. (Act LXIV, Art. 7)

'Things of monument value'—all built elements of the heritage, and their associated integrated area, group or system which represent an outstanding historic, artistic, scientific or technical asset from the point of view of the history of our country and social identity; including all theirparts, accessories and equipment. (Act LXIV, Art. 7)

'Archaeological find'—tangible elements of archaeological heritage perceived, discovered, detected (depending on their character), irrespective whether they have moved or have been moved from their original location, relations or conditions or not. Those cultural assets shall not be considered archaeological finds that were created before 1711 and have remained in art collections with proof. (Act LXIV, Art. 7)

Examples

Cultural goods subject to license: archeological finds from archaeological excavations and sites; archaeological collections; coins classified as archaeological relics (minted before 1711); numismatic items with the exception of banknotes and coins in circulation; parts, elements, fragments constituting integrated parts of monuments; equipment, fixtures, accessories and other items included in the register of historic items; monuments and parts of monuments including equipment and fittings in churches, liturgic items, equipments and fixtures older that 50 years, in the original location of public buildings, pieces of art made for the original location, architectural and artistic accessories of cemeteries and historic gardens; pictures and paintings created manually on any base, with any material; mosaic pictures and drawings, created manually on any base, using any material, not falling into the categories of archaeology or historic monuments; original sections, prints, sieve and stone prints with the related printing plates as well as original posters and postcards; original statues and groups of statues not belonging to archeological finds or collections, and their copies made with the same procedures as the original; photos, films and negatives; sound recordings; manuscripts, including maps and music partitures; books, other printed pieces of work and collections; printed maps; document material or public and private archives, privatedocuments of lasting value; zoological, botanical, mineral, paelaentological and anthropological collections, and individual items of such collections; historic or ethnographic collections and pieces of such collections; stamps; other cultural goods, not belonging to the previous categories, such as, for example toys and games, glass objects, golden and silver objects, furniture and other furniture, optical, photo and cinematographic equipment, musical instruments, ceramics, upholstery, carpets, wall paper, military items, costumes, and industrial and historical items. (Annex No. 1 to Decree No. 17/2001).

Registry

The Office shall keep official records of the following:
(a) archaeological sites;
(b) archaeological excavation licenses;
(c) monuments, including items of monument value included in the list;
(d) cultural assets for which protection has been declared;
(e) export licenses;
(f) operating licenses of museums, and
(g) data related to items specified in points (a)–(f) important from the aspects of cultural heritage. (Act LXIV, Art. 71)

The authority records shall be public and shall duly certify the protection of elements of cultural heritage included in them. In order to protect cultural heritage, the Office may restrict access to certain data in the records on the basis of a separate legal act. The records contain data and facts required for the identification of elements of cultural heritage. (Act LXIV, Art. 72)