Protection of cultural property; labeling of cultural property

A sign with an unusual shape can be seen more and more frequently on mostly historical buildings. The sign has a point at the bottom and is blue and white in color (blue and white hash marks). Such a sign is used to mark immovable cultural property.

The marking of cultural property is carried out on the basis of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of May 14, 1954. Cultural property within the meaning of the Convention is movable and immovable property that is of the greatest importance to the cultural heritage of any people. This cultural heritage can be monuments and archaeological sites, works of art from all eras, creations and works of poets, thinkers, composers and scientists, as well as all written traditions.

In addition to the designated monuments, the cultural property label can also be found on museums, libraries and archives as well as on the salvage sites for movable cultural property.

The cultural significance of an object is conveyed to the public as a kind of by-product of this labeling. Properly understood, cultural property protection makes it possible to understand the difference to monument protection.

The district offices and independent cities are responsible for awarding the international protection mark (blue and white diamond symbol).