Country Summary for SLOVAKIA

The cultural heritage of the Slovak Republic (”cultural heritage”) is the irreplaceable richness of the state and its citizens; it is the evidence of the development of society, philosophy, religion, science, technology, art; it is a document of the educational and cultural level of the Slovak nation, other nations, national minorities, ethnic groups and individuals who live or they lived in the past on the Slovak territory. (Code 91/2001 – Article 1.1)

 

(1) The term “monuments and historic sites” shall mean a set of movable and immovable property declared according to this Act as national cultural heritage monuments (hereinafter referred to as “cultural heritage monuments”), historic reserves and historic zones. Property or objects in relation to which proceedings have been initiated for their declaration as cultural heritage monuments, historic reserves and historic zones, shall also be considered as monuments and historic sites.

(3) Pursuant to this Act, the term “cultural heritage monument” shall mean a movable object or immovable property of cultural heritage value which has been declared a cultural heritage monument for reason of its protection. In cases of archaeological finds, a non-uncovered movable object or non-uncovered immovable property discovered using methods and technologies of archaeological research may also be considered a cultural heritage monument.

(5) The term “archaeological find” shall mean any movable object or immovable property which provides evidence of the life of mankind and related activities from the oldest era to modern times and is usually located in the earth, on the ground or under the water.

(49 Act – Article 2)

 

 

The Monuments board shall keep a Central Register which includes the register of movable and immovable cultural heritage monuments. (49 Act – Article 22(2))

 

If the object of cultural heritage value is found outside the approved research works, the finder must notify it directly or through the municipality concerned to the Regional Monuments Board. The finder or person responsible for carrying out the works during which the find was discovered shall notify it not later than the second working day following its discovery. (49 Act – Article 40(2))

 

Records on archaeological sites shall be kept by the Archaeological Institute in the Central Register of Archaeological Sites of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter referred to as “the register of archaeological sites”). The Archaeological Institute shall clearly mark all archaeological finds declared according to this Act as cultural heritage monuments or historic sites in the register of finds. (49 Act – Article 41(1))