Culture Minister: 13% of buildings in Croatia are under statutory protection

Zagreb - In Croatia, about 13% of buildings are listed ones, and the restoration or reconstruction of such buildings of particular architectural or historic interest deserving special protection require obtaining licences, Culture Minister  Nina Obuljen Koržinek said in the parliament on Tuesday.

Members of the parliament discussed the final amendments to the Law on Protection of Cultural Goods introducing construction-related benefits for citizens who own land at archaeological sites.

In response to a question from HDZ MP Vesna Bedeković regarding the percentage of buildings in the country that are protected cultural assets, Minister Obuljen Koržinek stated that around 13% of buildings are located within cultural-historical complexes added to heritage registers. "The majority of procedures are related to obtaining documentation, either for the restoration or reconstruction of buildings within these cultural-historical complexes," she added.

She also noted that most of the complaints came from the actions of conservators concerning listed buildings.

The minister pointed out that the new methodology will make all key information about what is considered acceptable intervention within a specific protected complex or area with shared characteristics clear and publicly available.

She told the parliament that the biggest reform in the law relates to the new system for the development and adoption of conservation foundations, as well as abolishing unnecessary procedures and steps.

Procedures will be shortened, and the entire process will be much more transparent, she added.

Author: Hina