Project THETRIS PP 2: České Švýcarsko, o. p. s. (Bohemian Switzerland P. B. C.) WP 3: Analysis focused on tangible and intangible culture heritage linked to regional churches

Bohemian Switzerland

3.3.2. Regional Analysis

Good Practises Collection

“This project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-financed by the ERDF.”

Content

1 Introduction and general context of the project ...... 3 2.1 Definition of the area of interest ...... 3 2 Cultural potential of the area...... 7 2.1 Movable and immovable cultural heritage ...... 7 2.2 Sacred tangible and intangible monuments ...... 11 3 Regional marketing strategies ...... 27 3.1 Ústí Region tourism development strategy for 2010-2015 ...... 27 3.2 Programme for the development of tourism in the Bohemian Switzerland region by 2020 30 3.3 Summary ...... 32 4 Strategy of protection ...... 33 4.1 Conservation Plan for Bohemian Switzerland National Park 2009-2016, ...... 34 4.2 Development programme for the Ústí Region 2014-2020 ...... 35 4.3 The Programme for the Conservation of Historical Monuments in the Czech Republic 2011 – 2016 ...... 36 4.4 Summary ...... 37 5 Good practices ...... 38 5.1 For the life of churches of the Broumov region ...... 38 5.2 Open Gates of the Zlín region ...... 40 5.3 Via Sacra ...... 41 5.4 House on the hill, Rumburk ...... 43 5.5 Rumburk Loreto ...... 44

2 1 Introduction and general context of the project

The project, ‘Development of thematic international religious routes with the involvement of local communities in the area of Bohemian Switzerland’, is part of the international project THETRIS (Thematic Transnational Church Route Development with the Involvement of Local Society), financed by a Central European programme. The THETRIS project focuses on the sustainable development of the conservation of local religious monuments in 11 partner Central European regions by creating international religious routes, preparing mutual strategies and testing innovative solutions for the conservation of religious monuments. The project consists of 5 successive phases of work, realized within the period from 1July 2012 to December 2014. The partner organizations are:

 Association of Municipalities of the upper Tisza (Hungary)  České Švýcarsko, o.p.s. (hereinafter Bohemian Switzerland p.s.o.)  Centre of structural and technological development of the Riesa-Großenhain region (Germany)  Regional Development Agency of Prešov autonomous region (Slovakia)  Province of Turin (Italy)  Development agency LAMORO, Asti (Italy),  Diocese Graz-Seckau (Austria),  Association of municipalities and cities of Malopolska (Poland)  Scientific and Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Research Centre of Nova Gorica (Slovenia)  Enterprise support centre Kranj (Slovenia)  Province of Padua (Italy)

2.1 Definition of the area of interest

For the purposes of this study, the area of interest is defined in accordance with the recommendation for a common methodology of the THETRIS project and terms set by the project partner, Bohemian Sitzerland p.s.o.. The methodology and the project assignment anticipate an area size smaller than NUTS 3 units (i.e. than administration regions in the Czech Republic), which corresponds to a broadened territory of the Bohemian Switzerland and Šluknov region. Defined thus, the territory coincides approximately with the tourist region of the same name defined by the Strategy for Tourism in the Ústí Region (see Map 1) or with the territory of the Děčín district, or more precisely the Děčín, Varnsdorf and Rumburk municipalities with extended powers (see maps 2 and 3).

3 The 909 km2 area thus defined demonstrates an internal homogeneity and external heterogeneity in terms of character of settlement (mostly rural landscape), landscape character (predominantly forested uplands, largely protected), local relief (mostly sandstone with occasional hills created by volcanic activity), cultural and historical identity (the Šluknov Hook, Děčín Region, Bohemian Switzerland, all characterized by, among other things, medieval colonization of the area, Upper-Lusatian type houses and the expansion of Protestantism). The boundary of the region is defined loosely, and this approach is appropriate to this study as it focuses on the development of religious monuments and routes. Some parts of the analysis or some of the strategies might, therefore, reach outside the defined region, if there is a reason for doing so in terms of locating suitable religious sites, transport links, etc.

Map 1: Tourist regions of the Ústí Region

Source: Strategy for the development of tourism in the Ústí Region 2010-2015 Note: Krušnohoří – the Ore Mountains, poohří – the River Ohře area, České středohoří a Podřipsko – the Bohemian Uplands and area around Říp Mountain, České Švýcarsko a Šluknovsko – Bohemian Switzerland and the Šlukonov region, státní hranice – state border, krajské hranice – regional border

4 Map 2: Area of Interest (Děčín district)

Source: edited by www.czso.cz

Note: Počet obyvatel v obci = Population of a minucipality Název města = Name of the town Název městyse – Name of the township Název ostatních obcí = Name of other municipalities Správní obvod obce s rozšířenou poůsobností = Administration municipal district with extended powers

5 Map 3: Location of the area of interest within the Czech Republic

Source: edited by www.wikipedia.org

6 2 Cultural potential of the area

2.1 Movable and immovable cultural heritage

The area of Bohemian Switzerland and the Šluknov region are famous for their unique natural attractions, those of Bohemian Switzerland overshadowing local cultural attractions. The cultural heritage of the area, which has so far been rather neglected by tourists, represents a potential for the future development of tourism based on a more even distribution of visitors in the area of interest and, in connection with various activities, this can contribute to an increase in off-season visits. Many medieval cultural monuments have survived in the area. Nevertheless, there are a significantly higher number of monuments from later historical periods. This is the result of the historical development of the region and the adoption of new cultural patterns and artistic styles, as well as being the consequence of wars, especially the Thirty Years' War, which meant not only a reduction in the population but the beginning of the return to Catholicism connected with the forced departure of the Protestant population. In the area of interest, no castles were preserved (only ruins). Amongst sacred sites, those from later historical periods are prevalent too (mainly of Baroque origin). An overview of the most interesting medieval monuments1:

 Ruin of the castle Tolštejn near Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (originally the manor house for almost the whole of the Šluknov area)  Remains of Schönbuch castle near the village of Krásná Lípa  Upper and Lower chateaux Benešov nad Ploučnicí (National Heritage Site)  Děčín Castle  Šluknov Castle  Church of Saint Anne in Jedlka (Malá Veleň)  Church of St. Bartholomew in Rumburk  Church of St. James the Greater in Česká Kamenice  Church of the Nativity of our Lady in Benešov nad Ploučnicí  Church of St. George in Chřibská  Church of St. George in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou  Church of St. Catherine in Dolní Podluží  Church of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist in Těchlovice  Church of St. Nicolas in Mikulášovice  Church of St. Bartholomew in Velký Šenov  Old Town Bridge in Děčín  Seigniorial brewery in Rumburk (buildings of suzerain cellars and icehouse)

1 The following are selected structures with the status of cultural heritage (with the exception of Upper and Lower Castle in Benešov nad Ploučnicí with the status of national cultural heritage). Almost all structures listed were stated according to the publication ‘Nejkrásnější památky Českosaského Švýcarska‘ (Mágrová, K., Patzelt, Z., 2011).

7 The preserved material cultural heritage in the Bohemian Switzerland and Šluknov region is associated predominantly with the epoch of modern age. An important historical event that influenced the shape of the cultural landscape in the area and its cultural heritage in particular was the re-catholization started during the Thirty Years' War. Building activities connected with re-catholization (see chapter 3.1.2.) were especially intense in the Šluknov Hook, which was surrounded by protestant areas and where the demonstration of religiosity embodied by numerous sacred architecture, was the question of prestige for the Roman Catholic Church, suzerains and the ordinary believers. Increased piety of a Baroque man was also reflected in immaterial manifestations of faith, like the gradually emerging tradition of pilgrimages, processions, and various religious celebrations, which were common in the region up to the end of the World War II. Then came a blow to the cultural heritage in the region, in the form of the expulsion of German population after the World War II and the arrival of a new, Czech population that had no ties to it. The change of population brought the disappearance of not only many local traditions, such as the riding of Easter riders, but there was also devastation/destruction of many cultural monuments. The communist power did not manage to destroy the tradition of religious pilgrimages. The example of which can be the traditional pilgrimage festival on the anniversary of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary in Filipov, which has been celebrated continually since 1866 to this day. Pilgrimage celebrations never ceased to be organized in Sněžná, Vilémov and Annaberg near Lobendava. Nevertheless, due to the atheism of the majority of population, there is no potential for restoring religious traditions in the original extent. Cultural monuments of Czech Switzerland and the Šluknov region originating in the modern age period are predominantly of a religious character, which is due to the former piety as well as the material conditions (available funds were invested in sacred art and architecture). This is why there are many less secular monuments from the period of modern age among important cultural attractions (e.g. bridges in Rumburk and Šluknov, folk architecture, burgher houses, so called Allason’s manufacture in Rumburk, Dolský mill etc.) The overview of the best-known modern era monuments1:

 Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady in Česká Kamenice  Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Jetřichovice  Way of the Cross with the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Cross in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou  Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Sněžná (Krásná Lípa)  Church of St. Maria Magdalene in Krásná Lípa  Krásná Lípa Burgher House (Guesthouse Czech Switzerland)  Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Kytlice  Church of St. Nicolas in Mikulášovice  Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk  Church of St. Peter and Paul in Růžová  Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská Kamenice  Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Staré Křečany  St. Wenceslas Church in Šluknov  Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Vilémov  Dolský mill (Růžová)

8 The way the area is populated and the shape of the individual settlements are to a great extent the result of the Industrial Revolution and, in a broader sense, the entire industrial epoch (which in Czech countries basically lasted until the 1990s) In the period before World War II, the Šluknov region was among the most developed industrial areas in the Czech lands. In the time from the establishment of local industries until World War II, many remarkable factory buildings, representative villas of industrialists and others of the social elite of the time, buildings of various societies and unique technical objects were created that have been preserved to this day. There are some religious buildings, too, originating in the industrial epoch, and ostentatious tombs and sepulchral chapels built for the needs of the growing number of wealthy families. Overview of the most interesting monuments from the industrial epoch:

 Viewing tower in Studenec  Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Chrást (sepulchral chapel, Děčín)  Synagogue in Děčín  Wind mill in Světlík (Horní Podluží)  Spice mill in Chřibská  Aqueduct in Chřibská  Wind mill in Janov  Hunting huts ‘Na Tokání’ (Jetřichovice)  Dittrich’s tomb in Krásná Lípa  Geological map in Krásná Lípa  Folly near Varnsdorf (originally a tourist restaurant with a viewing tower)  Chapel of St. Ignatius in Všemily

In addition to cultural monuments in the form of individual buildings, there are several valuable complexes of historical buildings, protected as a whole in the form of urban conservation areas, rural conservation reserves and rural conservation zones. Overview of protected conservation areas:

 Benešov nad Ploučnicí (urban conservation area)  Česká Kamenice (urban conservation area)  Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (urban conservation area)  Šluknov (urban conservation area)  Rumburk – rural homesteads on Šmilovského street (rural conservation reserve)  Dlouhý Důl (rural conservation area)  Kamenická Stráň (rural conservation area)  Vysoká Lípa (rural conservation area)  Merboltice (rural conservation area)

Many legends related to the circumstances of the founding of churches were preserved in the region (e.g. the Church of the St. John the Baptist in Horní Habartice, the Church of St. Bartholomew in Velký Šenov, the Chapel on Strážný hill in Rumburk, the Chapel of St. Joachim on the Jáchym hill near Lobendava, the Chapel in Rožany and the rock Chapel of St. Ignatius in Všemily). There are descriptions of miraculous healing and the circumstances of the creation of places of pilgrimage (e.g. the Basilica of our Lady Help of Christians in

9 Filipov, the Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady in Česká Kamenice, the Fraternal Altar near Česká Kamenice, the Chapel of our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk, the Chapel of St. Anne near Lobendava, the healing spring in Vilémov, the Stations of the Cross in Šluknov and Jiřetín pod Jedlovou). Local tales and legends are recorded in both Czech and German literature. 2 Before 1938, the organizing of Easter rides was part of Easter celebrations in the Northern parts of the region. The societies of Easter riders were founded in Sněžná, Mikulášovice, Velký Šenov, Lipová and Rumburk. This tradition was restored in 2001 at the Church of St. Nicolas in Mikulášovice. This tradition is still alive in Upper Lusatia and is a great tourist attraction. There is also a rich musical tradition3 among the intangible heritage of the region. There are several ensembles interpreting the compositions of pre-1945 German composers of this region, especially those from the Baroque period. These compositions have been performed at many concerts of sacred music which have become a tradition in many churches in the region (the Church of St. Bartholomew in Rumburk, the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Varnsdorf, the Church of St. George in Chřibská, the Church of Maria Magdalene in Krásná Lípa and St. Wenceslas Church in Šluknov). The choir leaders are authors of large new religious compositions. Since 2009, there has been a wave of interest in the restoration of historical organs3 in churches. As of 2013, the restoration of organs in several churches has been completed (in the Basilica in Filipov near Jiříkov, the Church of St. Bartholomew in Rumburk, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Kytlice, the Church of Maria Magdalene in Krásná Lípa, the Church of St. Nicholas in Mikulášovice, the Church of the Archangel Gabriel in Dolní Poustevna and the Church of St. Anne in Jedlka). In some churches, festivals of organ music and international sacred music festivals are organized (the Basilica in Filipov, St. Wenceslas in Srbská Kamenice, and the Church of St. James the Greater in Česká Kamenice). In many churches, occasional concerts of sacred music take place. Before 1945, the Šluknov region was among the famous areas where nativity scenes were made. Many significant painters and carvers who specialized in nativity scenes lived here. In many churches in the Northern part of the region the tradition of building church nativity scenes has survived since before 1945. Their presentation at Christmas time always meets with great interest from the local community and is also reflected in the increased number of visitors from Germany (the Church of St. Wenceslas in Šluknov, the Church of St. Lawrence in Rumburk, the Church of St. Bartholomew in Rumburk, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, the Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Staré Křečany, and the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Varnsdorf, collection of nativity scenes in the Museum in Rumburk).

2 Rummler, G.: Wallfahrtsstätten im nordböhmischen Niederland. Niederlandverlag Helmut Michel, Böblingen 1996, Karel Stein: Pomníčky Lužických hor a Českého Švýcarska. Vestri, Liberec 2005, Belisová, N.: Skalní výklenky a kaple v Českém Švýcarsku. Oblastní muzeum Děčín, Děčín 2006, Brejchová-Steinová, N.: Zjánštěná item zjančená léta na Děčínsku. Okresní muzeum Děčín, Děčín 2001, Natálie Belisová: Putování po duchovním panství Krásnolispka. Ing. Vladimír Hanák, Děčín 2005, Marie Rút Křížková - Beneš Benno: Philippsdorf - Filipov. 13. 1. 1866. Salesiánská provincie, Praha 1999, Melichar, Jaroslav a ad.: Pověsti. Vlastivěda Šluknovského výběžku pro školy a veřejnost. Klub českých turistů, Krásná Lípa 2002 3 Horák, T.: Varhany a varhanáři Děčínska a Šluknovska. Nadace Vlastivěda okresu děčínského, Děčín 1995

10 2.2 Sacred tangible and intangible monuments

2.2.1 General overview Besides the traditional folk architecture, religious monuments create a significant part of the cultural heritage of Bohemian Switzerland and the Šluknov region. Great economic development of the region in the 17th and especially in the 18th century accompanied by population growth enabled the owners of estates to rebuild, or to build an entirely new series of sacred buildings. In the case of tangible religious heritage, the majority of surviving monuments are Baroque. The intangible religious heritage is discussed in the previous chapter. The most visible manifestations of sacred architecture in the cultural landscape are churches. The architectural style of the existing churches in the region was significantly influenced in the Baroque period. The existing churches and chapels were created either by rebuilding the original medieval churches or building new churches in the settlements which were without churches. A large number of existing churches were built or substantially rebuilt in the 18th century. The intense building activity in the 18th century was related to the dominant role of the Roman Catholic Church, and also a result of population growth and economic development in the area that had recovered from the previous war and plague disasters. The social status and political significance of the individual families that owned the estates in the region also played their part. Among the princes of Thun-Hohenstein (Děčín estate), the princes of Liechtenstein (Rumburk estate), the counts of Diechtrichstein and the Harrach (estate Šluknov), and the counts of Salm-Reifferscheidt (Lipová estate), we find a number of prominent representatives of the imperial court in Vienna. Thanks to their cultural connections, the architectural designs of parish and pilgrimage churches were done by the top architects of the time – the Church of St. Wenceslas in Rozbělení (church designs by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer), The Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk and the cloister in Rumburk (design for the Holy House and the unrealized design of the cloister by Johann Lucas Hildebrandt), the Church of St. George (unrealized church design by Johann Lucas Hildebrandt), the Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Staré Křečany (design for altar by Johann Lucas Hildebrandt) and the Church of St. Wenceslas in Šluknov (design of the tower by Johann Bernhard Fischer of Erlach). The local architects Johann Wenzel Kosch from Děčín and Zacharias Hoffmann from Lipová became the builders of the majority of sacred buildings in the region. The phenomena of the Marian cult influenced in a great way the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the region. There are several places of pilgrimage in the region, whose creation was preceded by apparitions or miracles attributed to the Virgin Mary.

 The Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk ( Black Madonna of Loreto, which is credited with many miraculous healings)  The Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady in Česká Kamenice (Our Lady of Love statue to which is attributed many miraculous healings)  The Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Krásná Lípa

11 Other places of pilgrimage whose creation was not connected to the Marian cult are also associated with miracles:  The Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Vilémov (a spring with healing properties)  The Chapel of St. Anne in Lobendava (statue of St. Ann)  The Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (part of the Stations of the Cross) in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (the cross)  The Basilica of our Lady Help of Christians (in the place of the apparition of the Virgin Mary and a miraculous healing). Atypically, a Marian pilgrimage place was created in the 19th century.

The most interesting cultural site in the area as regards artistic and architectural value is the above-stated Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk (or Holy House), resp. the whole Capuchin monastery, which also incorporates the chapel. Being an exact copy of the Italian original (the Italian Loreto´s Holy House), the chapel was built following a design by Johann Lucas Hildebrandt, the emperor´s Hofburg court architect. The Holy House was later extended with the cloister with the Holy Stairs and the Calvary shrine inside. The site also features the monastery Church of St. Laurence and the former Capuchin convent (today´s municipal library). The Holy House in Rumburk is valued as the most northerly Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Europe. The specifics of the whole site is not only the great artistic value of the Holy House and other buildings (extensive sculptural, stucco and painting decorations), but also the combination of the Holy House and Holy Stairs on one site. The site is visited by more than 8000 tourists and pilgrims annually, and many cultural events and exhibitions are held here. The tradition of the religious Porziuncola Indulgence Way, which dates back to 1685, has been preserved to this day. The Šluknov region boasts a high concentration of Calvaries built in the form of 14 Stations of the Cross. The profound religiousness of the local population and its obvious wish to differentiate from the neighbouring Protestant Saxony and Upper Lusatia resulted in 14 Stations of the Cross built here between the 18th and 20th century. This is quite a unique phenomenon nationwide. The local Stations of the Cross are unequalled for their manifold artistic interpretation; apart from the traditional 14 stations narrating the story of Jesus Christ from his sentencing to his crucifixion, they also feature other shrines, fountains and artificial caves. Unlike the Fukov Stations of the Cross, all other Stations of the Cross have been preserved. The set of Stations of the Cross also includes the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. These have been preserved in Šluknov, Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, Vilémov and Brntíky. This is an exceedingly high number of specific pilgrimage shrines with no equal nationwide. Stations of the Cross:

 Annaberg near Lobendava  Brtníky  Fukov (destroyed when the municipality was liquidated in 1960)  Jáchym near Lobendava  Křížový vrch (Cross Hill) near Jiřetín pod Jedlovou  Jiříkov  Království

12  Krásná Lípa  Rumburk  Staré Křečany  Šluknov  Varnsdorf  Velký Šenov  Vilémov

The area of Bohemian Saxony and the Šluknov region has a great number of minor sacred sites, such as crucifixes, wayside shrines, conciliation crosses and rock niche shrines. The tangible sacred heritage of the region is represented by a great number of preserved Gothic sculptures which were part of the original parish churches. In the 1990´s, they were examined by experts, moved from churches and museums and exhibited in the permanent “Gothic Sculpture” exhibition in the Děčín region in the Děčín Regional museum.

Table 1: List of cultural sacred sites in the Děčín district

Municipality/ part of Cultural sacred sites municipality Arnoltice Church of the Assumption of Our Lady Sculpture of Our Lady of the Assumption Benešov nad Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ploučnicí Holy Trinity Chapel Sculpture of St. Adalbert The Calvary sculptural group with a wooden crucifix, platform and retaining walls Column with a sculpture of Our Lady Presbytery Brtníky Column with a sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows Děčín – Březiny Chapel Bynovec Wayside shrine Sculpture of Our Lady Immaculate Česká Kamenice St. James´ Church Chapel Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady St. Barbara´s Chapel (Coronation of Our Lady by the Holy Trinity)

13 Municipality/ part of Cultural sacred sites municipality Děčín I Evangelic Church Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church of St. Wenceslas and St. Blasius Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sculpture of Our Lady Immaculate Sculpture of St. Anthony Sculpture of St. Florian Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Sculpture of St. Matthew Column with a sculptural group – the Plague Column Column with a sculptural group – the Plague Column Column with a sculptural group – the Plague Column Děčín - Podmokly Synagogue Wayside shrine Děčín – Rozbělesy Church of St. Wenceslas Mortuary Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk, the Thun family with a sculptural group Presbytery Děčín – Bělá Church of St. Francis Xavier Presbytery Děčín – Boletice nad Sculpture of St. Florian Labem Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Děčín - Nebočady Church of St. Laurence Chapel Děčín – Dolní Žleb Holy Trinity Church Wayside shrine Sculpture of St. Anne Sculpture of St. Adalbert Dobrná Chapel with a belfry Dolní Kamenice Chapel Dolní Podluží Church of St. Catherine Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Dolní Poustevna Pietá sculptural group Doubice Church of the Assumption of Our Lady Františkov nad Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Ploučnicí Horní Habartice Crucifix Horní Podluží Sculpture of St. Joseph Sculpture of the Calvary

14 Municipality/ part of Cultural sacred sites municipality Hřensko Church of St. John of Nepomuk Chřibská Church of St. George Presbytery Janov Chapel of St. John the Baptist Janská Column with a sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Javory Church of St. Procopius Jedlka (malá Veleň) Church of St. Anne Sculpture of St. Anne Jetřichovice Church of St. John of Nepomuk Jílové Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Jiřetín pod Jedlovou Holy Trinity Church Crucifixion Chapel Sculpture of St. Anne Column with a sculpture of St. Laurence Presbytery Jiříkov Church of St. George Sculptural group Presbytery Kamenická Stráň Gutbauer´s wayside shrine Kerhartice Church of St. Maria Magdalene Krásná Lípa Church of St. Maria Magdalene Kytlice Church of St. Anthony of Padua Lipová Church of St. Simon and Jude Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Sculpture of St. Joseph Lobendava Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of St. Anne Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Presbytery Ludvíkovice Wayside shrine Malá Bukovina Church of St. Wenceslas with a sculpture of St. Anthony Markvartice Church of St. Martin Merboltice Shrine of Our Lady in the bell tower Mikulášovice Church of St. Nicolas Holy Trinity Chapel Chapel of Three Fathers Wähner´s Chapel Rožany Niche shrine with a Pietá sculpture

15 Municipality/ part of Cultural sacred sites municipality Rumburk Church of St. Bartholomew Church of St. of John the Baptist Sculptures – St. John of Nepomuk and St. Sebastian Column with a sculpture of Our Lady Capuchin monastery with a Loreto Chapel and cloister Evangelic Church Růžová Church of St. Peter and Paul Rychnov Presbytery Salmov Chapel Sněžná Church of Our Lady of the Snows Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Srbská Kamenice Church of St. Wenceslas Sculptural group of the Coronation of Our Lady Stará Oleška Wayside shrine Staré Křečany Church of St. John of Nepomuk Sculpture of St. Anthony Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Presbytery Column with a sculpture of St. Anthony Šluknov Church of St. Wenceslas Stations of the Cross with a Gethsemane sculptural group Sculpture of the Jesus Christ of Sorrows Sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi Sculpture of St. John the Baptist Sculpture of St. Joseph Sculpture of St. Wenceslas Plague Column Těchlovice Holy Trinity Chapel Church of St. John the Baptist Valkeřice Presbytery Varnsdorf Evangelic church called the Red Church Old Catholic Church Church of St. Charles Borromeo Church of St. Peter and Paul Sculpture of St. Anthony Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk Column with a Holy Trinity sculptural group Velký Šenov Church of St. Bartholomew Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk

16 Municipality/ part of Cultural sacred sites municipality Verneřice Church of St. Anne Fountain with a sculpture of St. Florian Column with Our Lady sculpture (in Příbram below Buková Hill) Resource: Subject to the database www.monumnet.cz. As of 19 January 2013.

2.2.2 Devastation and reconstruction of sacred buildings At the turn of the 1960´s and 1970´s, sacred buildings were extensively devastated in the southern part of the region. This has no precedence in the country. Around Verneřice churches were demolished in those parts of the region not affected by coal mining, prohibited zones or close to the state border. The government decided not to repair these churches and let them fall into ruin. Afterwards, they were removed from the national heritage list and demolished. The list of demolished churches: Merboltice (the Church of St. Catherine, 1975), Rychnov (the Church of St. Bartholomew, 1975), Valkeřice (the parish Church of St. Barbara, 1975), Verneřice (the pilgrimage Holy Trinity Church, 1975). Other demolished churches are located near Verneřice, however, outside the Děčín district, i.e. the Litoměřice region. In the Děčín district the following churches were demolished: Nová Oleška (the Holy Trinity Church, 1946), Huntířov (the parish Church of St. George, end of 1968), Krásný Studenec (the Church of Archangel Michael, 1966). In the north, in the Šluknov region, the following churches were demolished: Fukov (the parish Church of St. Wenceslas, 1960), Krásná Lípa (the Old Catholic Church, 1970) and Brtníky (the Church of St. Martin, 1975). The reconstruction of sacred buildings before 1989 was very complicated and always hampered by the communist administration. Special religious clerks were appointed to place constant pressure, particularly in District National Committees in Děčín, Rumburk and Varnsdorf. It took a huge effort to repair the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Doubice in the 1980´s, but the Church of St. Anne in Verneřice was repaired. A change came in 1989. In the Czech Republic and especially in border regions it was Mgr. Marcel Hrubý, a parish administrator in Srbská Kamenice, who carried out extraordinary work and was responsible for repairs of churches in the parish as well as buildings in nearby parishes. Between 1989 and 2012, he managed to have 10 churches in the region completely reconstructed (and others in the Česká Lípa region). Some had the circumferential walls preserved, they had collapsed roofs and trusses. The churches were reconstructed, reconsecrated and returned to the spiritual life of the region thanks to subsidies from the Ministry of Culture, the Czech-German Fund of the Future, contributions from German foundations and the work of young Moravian volunteers. The following churches have been repaired: the Church of St. Joseph in Rybiště, the Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Jetřichovice, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Růžová, the Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská Kamenice, the Church of St. Maria Magdalene in Kerhartice, the Church of St. Wenceslas in Malá Bukovina, the Church of St. John the Baptist in Horní Habartice and the Church of St. Anne in Jedlka. The redevelopment of the Church of St. Martin in Markvartice and the Church of St. Anne in Verneřice is yet to be finished. The Church and the municipality of Merboltice are considering building a new church in place of the parish church, which was demolished upon the order of the communist administration in

17 1975. The corner stone of the new timber structure, featuring a room where the locals can meet, was consecrated in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI while on his visit to the Czech Republic. Former German countrymen helped organise and fund the reinstatement of the Church of St. Laurence in Království near Šluknov (1970´s) and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Studánka near Varnsdorf (2012). Between 2009 and 2011, a project in the Bohemian Switzerland region focused on the reconstruction of selected minor sacred sites. Within the project of the Bohemian Switzerland public service organisation from Krásná Lípa selected important crucifixes on stone pedestals and rock niche shrines were repaired in Dolní Poustevna, Dolní Žleb, Doubice, Chřibská, Hřensko, Janov, Jetřichovice, Mikulášovice, Růžová and Staré Křečany. Further structures repaired are the Shrine of Our Lady of Carmel on Vlčí Hill and the Altar of the Unity of Brethren pilgrimage site near Česká Kamenice. 27 structures in 12 municipalities have been repaired in total, for more information see http://ops.ceskesvycarsko.cz/cs/projekty/listen-voice-villages. The “Listen to the Voice of the Villages” project was co-funded by the European Union within the Operational programme Cross-border cooperation Central Europe, and by the European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF). The redevelopment itself was preceded by detailed documentation of minor sacred sites in select municipalities of the region. 330 structures not proclaimed as cultural heritage sites were examined. A renovation plan was proposed for 50 of them.

Systematic repairs of minor sacred sites carried out by institutions and civic associations:

. the Bohemian Saxony National Park Administration (renovation of minor sacred sites in this area); . the Elbe Sandstone Landscape Protected Area Administration (renovation of minor sacred sites in the protected area); . the town of Dolní Poustevna (minor sacred sites in the town); . the town of Mikulášovice (Fürle´s Chapel, the Chapel of Three Fathers); . the organisation "Kruh přátel muzea Varnsdorf, o.s." with its registered office in Varnsdorf (renovation of minor sacred sites in Varnsdorf); . Pod Studencem Civic Association (2007 – 2010 Studený and Lipnice Civic Association) with its registered office in Česká Kamenice (renovation of minor sacred sites in the Česká Kamenice region);

Towns and municipalities consistently encouraging the efforts of parishes to renovate sacred buildings (parish churches and pilgrimage chapels):  Česká Kamenice (the Church of St. James the Greater, the pilgrimage shrine of the Nativity of Our Lady, the Evangelic Church),  Chřibská (the Church of St. George),  Rumburk (the Church of St. Bartholomew,  the Loreto Chapel with cloister,  the former Capuchin monastery,

18  the Evangelic Church, the Church of St. John the Baptist),  Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (Stations of the Cross with the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross),  Staré Křečany (the Church of St. John of Nepomuk),  Dolní Podluží (the Church of St. Catherine),  Děčín (the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Chapel of St. George),  Janov (the Chapel of St. John the Baptist),  Krásná Lípa (the Chapel of Our Lady of Carmel). Repairs to churches were funded by the municipality of Malšovice (the Church of St. Procopius in Javory) and Merboltice (the Chapel of Our Lady). The intention to reinstate parish churches and to participate in the design documents was put forward in 2013 by the towns of Velký Šenov (the Church of St. Bartholomew), Mikulášovice (the Church of St. Nicolas), and Lipová (the Church of St. Simon and Jude Repairs of sacred sites funded by civic associations (very active ones highlighted): . České Švýcarsko, o.p.s. (Bohemian Switzerland, the Public Service Organisation) with its registered office in Krásná Lípa (2010 – 2011 renovation of minor sacred sites in the Bohemian Switzerland region); . Červený kostel Varnsdorf, o.s. (The Varnsdorf Red Church Civic Association) with its registered office in Varnsdorf (the Evangelic Church in Varnsdorf) . the Nativity Christian Elementary School in Děčín (the municipality chapel in Děčín- Křešice); . Dolní Žleb Civic Association (the Holy Trinity Church in Děčín – Dolní Žleb) . Kruh přátel muzea Varnsdorf, o.s. (Friends of the Varnsdorf Museum, Civic Association) with its registered office in Varnsdorf (renovation of minor sacred sites in Varnsdorf); . Pod Studencem Civic Association (2007 – 2010 Studený and Lipnice Civic Association) with its registered office in Česká Kamenice (renovation of minor sacred sites in the Česká Kamenice region); . Civic Association for the Renovation of the Guardian Angel´s Chapel (the Chapel of the Guardian Angels in Prostřední Žleb); . Association for the Repair of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Studánka (the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Studánka near Varnsdorf); . Sdružení na záchranu kostela sv. Kateřiny o. s. (Association for the Preservation of the Church of St. Catherine, Civic Association) from Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (the Church of St. Catherine in Dolní Podluží); . Schrödinger´s Institute - leisure centre for the Šluknov area, school legal entity with its registered office in Rumburk (the Chapel of the Holy Heart of Jesus Christ and the former convent of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Boromeo in Jiříkov)

19 2.2.3 Accessibility and revival of sacred buildings in the region Sacred sites in the region open to the public outside the mass hours: . the Loreto and the Church of St. Laurence in Rumburk (all year round, Tuesdays - Saturdays); . the Synagogue in Děčín (all year round, Mondays - Fridays); . the Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady in Česká Kamenice (in season, Mondays - Sundays); . the Castle Chapel of St. George in Děčín (all year round, daily); . the Evangelic Church in Rumburk (every Wednesday during the opening hours of the tearoom); . the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Děčín (in season, daily); . the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Děčín – Chrást (in season, Saturdays and Sundays); . the Educational Centre (the Evangelic Church under construction) in Dolní Poustevna (all year round, Mondays and Wednesdays); Revival of sacred sites – owners: . The Parish association of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren in Rumburk (the Evangelic Church in Rumburk); . ŘKF Rumburk (the Loreto with cloister, the Church of St. Laurence, the Church of St. Bartholomew); . the Děčín Quahal (the Synagogue in Děčín); . the Castle Děčín, p. o. (the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church in Děčín, the Castle Chapel of St. George in Děčín and the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Děčín - Chrást); Revival of sacred sites – civic associations: . Arte Musica, o.s. in Jiříkov (the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in Filipov near Jiříkov); . Dokořán Rumburk, o.s. (the Evangelic Church in Rumburk); . the Cultural – Historical Association of Malá Veleň, Jedlky and Soutěsky, o.s.,(the Church of St. Anne in Malá Veleň - Jedlka) . the Initiative for our minor churches called “OSTROV” (the Church of St. Procopius in Malšovice - Javory, the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Děčín – Bělá, the Holy Trinity Church in Jílové u Děčína); . Pod Studencem Civic Association (2007 – 2010 Studený and Lipnice Civic Association) with its registered office in Česká Kamenice (pilgrimage fair, cultural events in the Česká Kamenice region); . the Schrödinger Institute - leisure centre for the Šluknov area, school legal entity with its registered office in Rumburk (the Chapel of the Holy Heart of Jesus Christ and the former convent of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Borromeo in Jiříkov); . the Association of Tadeáš Haenke, o. s. in Chřibská (the Church of St. George in Chřibská); . the Loreto Rumburk, o. p. s. (resp. Foundation Loreto Rumburk) (1995 – 2005, the Loretta on the Rumburk premises);

20 A specific cultural event that has been reviving Roman Catholic and Evangelic churches in the region since 2010 is the national Night of Churches. On that night in May, about 30 buildings (parish churches, pilgrimage chapels and chapels) are open to the public. The event is particularly popular in Děčín, with a special bus line operating during the event that enables interested parties to visit the open sacred buildings. It is the only opportunity for visitors to see some churches and chapels outside regular mass time. The Night of Churches is always coordinated by a relevant episcopate. The national event is also promoted on the website www.nockostelu.cz as well as special printouts (leaflets, brochures), issued by the Litoměřice episcopate for the region. The event takes place for one day, on a Friday in May or June, always on one date nationwide. The authority that puts the building on the list of the event is the spiritual custodians of the sacred sites who are responsible for the programme. The event is usually prepared by the local community. It has now become a tradition to hand out the Bethlehem light shortly before Christmas in churches, www.betlemskesvetlo.cz. It is delivered around the Czech Republic http://www.betlemskesvetlo.cz/materialy/plakaty_bs_2012-2/ by Junák – the Association of Scouts and Guides of the Czech Republic, from whom the spiritual custodians of the churches take the light over (the Church of St. Anne in Jedlka, the Church of St. Wenceslas in Malá Bukovina, the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Děčín, the Church of St. Francis in Děčín, the Holy Trinity Church in Jílové u Děčína, the Loreto Chapel in Rumburk). Another newly introduced event is the Christian Christmas. It took place for the first time at Christmas in 2012 in the Litoměřice Episcopate, which the Bohemian Switzerland region belongs to. The web www.krestanskevanoce.cz should collect information about all the Advent and Christmas events taking place in the listed churches on one website. The promotional documentation has a uniform graphic design.

2.2.4 Link between sacred sites and services The link between sacred sites and services depends particularly on the location of the specific sites within the settlement system. In fact, no sacred site in the region is of such importance and so popular with tourists to generate services focusing on its visitors. Based on that, we can distinguish three types of sacred sites according to the location in the settlement system (i.e. related to the current services):

 sites located in an urban area  sites located in a village  sites located outside settled areas

Sites located in an urban area (especially in Děčín, Rumburk, Česká Kamenice, Benešov nad Ploučnicí and Krásná Lípa) directly link to basic and additional tourist services (boarding and catering facilities, information centres, museums, etc.), as well as general services that can be useful for tourists. They are also usually very easily accessible by public transport, which provides frequent services to nearby centres and tourists destinations. Rarely can we find sacred buildings at a distance within an urban area, such as the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Chrást, otherwise a rather unattractive part of Děčín far from public transport services.

21 Sacred sites located in villages usually have poorer accessibility by public transport or links to services. In the Bohemian Switzerland region the main attractions of the local nature do not intersect the areas of the most interesting sacred sites. Frequently visited places popular with tourists seeking natural beauties provide above-standard services (especially for tourists) even in villages, and feature fewer sacred sites. Such sacred places of worship are, for example, the Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Jetřichovice, the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Růžová, the Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská Kamenice, the Church of St. George in Chřibská, the Holy Trinity Church in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, the Stations of the Cross with the Shrine of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, and the Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Kytlice. Apart from the above-stated churches there are more examples of sacred buildings in the area situated in the middle of a village. These, however, are usually located outside the most visited areas and have a poor range of services for tourists. In general, all villages have a very limited range of basic services and their transport accessibility depends on their location within the transport infrastructure system (in most cases, transport accessibility is infrequent with long intervals between services). The area is also characterised by more attractive sacred sites situated outside the residential area. This particularly concerns the Stations of the Cross, or some places of pilgrimage (e.g. the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Sněžná near Krásná Lípa). The Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in a remote part of Jiříkov – Filipov is quite specific for this important place of pilgrimage. What is interesting is that Filipov directly links to the German township of Neugersdorf, offering good services, however, the different price level still makes it impossible for Czech customers to use them. Sacred sites situated outside settled areas are not accessible by public transport and physically handicapped visitors might find it difficult to access them without a car. With some exceptions (e.g. the so-called basilica in Filipov) these sites have no links to any services.

2.2.5 Available (current) cultural and religious routes The cultural-religious tourist route located in the region is the Pilgrimage sites in the Šluknov Hook. In 2008, it was developed by the Roman Catholic Parish in Jiříkov with co- funding provided by the Ministry of Culture and the Ústí Region. The route has 6 traditional pilgrimage sites in the Šluknov region dating back to the period from the 18th to the 19th century. The route is promoted in a brochure (CZ, DE), folders (CZ, DE) and a website, www.poutni-mista-sluknovsko.cz (CZ, DE), which provides a basic historical background of the origin of the pilgrimage sites. The website also publishes invitations to cultural and religious events held at the specific pilgrimage sites. The project was the first to map pilgrimage sites, however, it was not designated in the terrain. The Pilgrimage Route in the Šluknov Hook features the following stations:

 the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in Filipov;  the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk;  the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Krásná Lípa;  the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Vilémov;  the Chapel of St. Anne in Lobendava;  the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou;

22 The project promoting the Šluknov region's pilgrimage sites was extended by the project called "Šluknov Pilgrimage Route / Pilgerweg des Schluckenauer Zipfels". This marketing product was prepared by the Roman Catholic Parish in Jiříkov and Cyrill- Methodius-Verein from Siebitz. In March 2013, the project got a subsidy from the Neisse Euroregion Small Projects Fund. It is to be implemented from April 2013 to March 2014. It will provide a complex promotion and links to 6 pilgrimage sites and 14 Stations of the Cross in the Šluknov Hook. The project outputs will visually connect the logo and the unified graphic style. The project will also provide the background for meetings of Czech and German people in both the Czech Republic and Germany in common worship and on excursions. The project will be presented at the beginning of 2014 at tourism trade fairs held in the CR and FRG in cooperation with České Švýcarsko, o. p. s.. The project will have the following outputs: Pilgrimage churches will be provided with information boards, their graphic design will comply with the manual recommended in the region by České Švýcarsko, o. p. s. The Czech Tourist Club shall designate the pilgrimage sites in the terrain. Tourist signs will be installed, including signs with QR codes and the installation of 2 new offshoots of tourist routes to the Stations of the Cross. The current network of tourist marking and cycling paths will be used to lay out individual sections of the route. Modern technologies will be implemented within the product, usually used by young people and those with children. A geocaching game supporting 6 pilgrimage sites will be implemented. A set of information materials (a brochure, folder, map, in both Czech and German) will be issued. The current website www.poutni-mista-sluknovsko.cz will be updated. A new website promoting the Rumburk Loreto pilgrimage site will be created. The project also includes additional services. The product will enable a guided tour in the Rumburk Loreto, in which both pilgrims and tourists will be given extensive information on other pilgrimage sites in the region. Also available will be the Exhibition of religious art in the Šluknov region, which comprises a permanent exhibition of pilgrimage sites and Stations of the Cross in the Šluknov region (from spring 2013, Czech and German). Visitors can see here a multimedia presentation of the pilgrimage sites and Stations of the Cross in the Rumburk Loreto. The Rumburk Loreto is open to the public all year round and offers a number of exhibitions, concerts, special evening tours, religious celebrations and cultural events for all the family. On the Šluknov Pilgrimage Route visitors can find 14 Stations of the Cross as well as the following stops:

 the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in Filipov;  the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk;  the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Krásná Lípa;  the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Vilémov;  the Chapel of St. Anne in Lobendava;  the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou.

Another cultural-religious tourist route running through the area of interest is the Pilgrimage route through the Česká Lípa region. It has been developed as a marketing product since 2008. It is in the preparation phase (as part of the Česká Lípa Tourist Region Development project funded by ROP NUTS II North-East). The main part of the Pilgrimage Route through

23 the Česká Lípa region runs from Zittau to Horní Police in the Česká Lípa region and incorporates 8 pilgrimage sites. The neighbouring route runs through the Šluknov region, it has two pilgrimage sites (the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk and the Stations of the Cross in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou). The route links to the below-stated Via Sacra international pilgrimage route. Unlike the already established Via Sacra product, the Pilgrimage Route through the Česká Lípa region is a relatively poorly developed tourism product promoted only by a four-language guidebook (CZ, DE, PL, EN). The main route of the Pilgrimage Route through the Česká Lípa region runs along both a road, footpath and a cycle path. The main part of the Pilgrimage Route through the Česká Lípa region features the following stops:

 Zittau – the Church of St. Cross (DE);  Oybin – the Natural museum of the castle and monastery (DE);  Jablonné v Podještědí – the Basilica of St. Laurence and St. Zdislava;  Mimoň – the Holy Sepulchre;  Zákupy – the castle and chapel;  Česká Lípa – the Augustinian monastery;  Jezvé – the Church of St. Laurence;  Horní Police – the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary;

The neighbouring Pilgrimage Route through the Česká Lípa region (or the neighbouring route comprising separate sections) shows a vague layout on II and III class roads. The neighbouring route comprises the following sites:

 Cvikov – the Calvary, the Church of St. Elisabeth;  Sloup – the rock castle and hermitage;  Svojkov – the Mine of prayers;  Velenice – the rock Holy Sepulchre;  Jiřetín pod Jedlovou – Křížová hora (Cross Hill);  Rumburk – the Loreto;

The Via Sacra is quite an important and established cultural route. This pilgrimage route connects important sacred sites of three bordering countries – Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Although the route runs past attractions situated near the Šluknov region, it does not intersect the area. The Via Sacra is an established complex tourism product which greatly affects the visitor rate in the region (particularly the German part of the concerned territory) and the sites which have become part of the pilgrimage route. This product offers a great number of cultural trips, guided tours and associated services (boarding facilities on the route, other attractions, etc.). The Via Sacra route comprises the following sites:

 the Zittau Great Fasting Shroud (DE);  the Zittau Small Fasting Shroud (DE);  the Natural museum of the castle and monastery (DE);  Unity of the Brethren in Herrnhut (DE);  the Village Church in Cunewalde (DE);  St. Peter´s Dome with the dome treasury in Bautzen (DE);  the Cistercian Abbey, St. Marienstern, Panschwitz-Kuckau (DE);

24  the Holy Sepulchre, the Stations of the Cross and the Evangelic Church of St. Peter and Paul, Görlitz (DE);  the Cistercian Abbey in St. Marienthal Ostriz (DE);  the Church of Holy Spirit Reconciliation in Jawor (PL);  the Cistercian Monastery in Kreszów (PL);  the Church in Karpacz (PL);  the Church of the Holy Cross Grace in Jelení Hora (PL);  the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary;  the Commandry of St. Zdislava of the Order of St. John in Český Dub;  the Chapel of St. Anne in Mnichovo Hradiště;  the Basilica of St. Laurence and St. Zdislava in Jablonné v Podještědí;

Regions neighbouring the area of interest also have two branches of the St. James´ Way – the most important pilgrimage route in Europe and on the UNESCO heritage list. However, these branches of the pilgrimage route hardly reach the importance of the core part of the St. James´ Way which starts on the French side of the Pyrenees due to the great distance from the pilgrimage destination (the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, where the remains of the apostle St. James are buried). The original, older branch of the St. James´ Way, also called the Ecumenical Pilgrimage Route, runs along the corridor of the historic Via Regia road, crossing Saxony from Görlitz to Leipzig (in the environs of the Šluknov Hook across Buchholz, Bautzen, St. Marienstern and Königsbrück). The newer branch, called Zittau St. James´ Way, was officially opened in 2008 and runs along the old pilgrimage route between Görlitz and Prague (through Zittau, Hrádek nad Nisou, Český Dub, Mnichovo Hradiště and Mladá Boleslav).

2.2.6 Summary Cultural and religious sites in the Bohemian Switzerland and Šluknov regions are overshadowed by the local natural attractions. With some exceptions, they mostly do not attract many visitors. The most important sacred sites date back to relatively recent times and are mostly built in the Baroque style. The most important sacred sites with a greater visitor potential are particularly pilgrimage sites. Probably the most interesting sacred site in the region is the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk. The regional specific is the high concentration of Stations of the Cross. The intangible sacred sites preserved are represented by legends related to the foundation of the churches and the origin of pilgrimage sites as well as the rich musical tradition. The Easter journey tradition has been revived in Mikulášovice. After the extensive devastation of sacred buildings during communism, the last two decades have seen a number of initiatives to save, renew and restore sacred sites resulting in the successful reconstruction of many sacred sites, particularly churches. The link to sacred sites by services depends particularly on the location of the sites within the settlement system. The area features important sacred sites very well situated in terms of

25 services as well as those situated in areas with poorer transport accessibility or with no services. The Via Sacra is an important current topical cultural route, connecting sacred pilgrimage sites with other important sites in the Czech-Polish-German area neighbouring the Bohemian Switzerland region. The cultural route and marketing product - the Šluknov Pilgrim Route / Pilgerweg des Schluckenauer Zipfels has newly been established. The cultural route crossing the area of interest is the Pilgrimage Route through the Česká Lípa region; however, it is still not an established product of topical tourism.

26 3 Regional marketing strategies

The Regional Office of the Ústí Region is responsible, as a public administration authority, for developing tourism concept documents (including marketing) in the area. The current regional concept document is the Strategy of the Development of Tourism in the Ústí Region in 2010-2015 (hereinafter SCRÚK 2010). This strategy also proposes the establishment of destination organisations in tourist regions of the region. České Švýcarsko, o. p. s. (Bohemian Switzerland P.B.C.) became the main partner in applying the Tourism Development Strategy in the Bohemian Switzerland region, which has been implementing destination management for a long time already. The main organisation active (not only) in tourism in the area of interest is the above-stated České Švýcarsko, o. p. s.. It is a non-government non-profit organisation, and its co-founders are the Bohemian Switzerland National Park Administration, the town of Krásná Lípa, Český svaz ochránců přírody Tilia Krásná Lípa (nature conservation organisation), and the Ústí Region. České Švýcarsko, o. p. s. also operates as a destination agency for the Bohemian Switzerland region (i.e. one of four destination agencies operating within the Ústí Region). It has enjoyed long cooperation with its German partner, Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz, in developing and presenting Bohemian Switzerland as a unique tourist destination. In the development activities in tourism the organisation České Švýcarsko o. p. s. orders concept materials. The current strategic document which also identifies the marketing strategy is the Concept of tourism development in the Bohemian Switzerland region until 2020.

3.1 Ústí Region tourism development strategy for 2010-2015

The draft document focuses on the proposal identifying the measures and activities suggested to meet the development visions of this document. The marketing strategy is identified in Priority 2 of the proposal part of the SCRÚK 2010. The strategy defines the position of the region in tourism marketing, particularly as a coordinator of activities implemented in the natural tourism area. The strategy also identifies the role of the regional authority in joining “cross-regional, national, or international products and core infrastructure and transport products/projects in marketing" (SCRÚK 2010, p. 30). It also deviates from "mass, flat marketing” towards more structured approaches and direct links with the target groups, while complying with the principles of sustainable development. Apart from static products (places), another important place is represented by dynamic products, demanding good quality human resources (events, festivals)" (See SCRÚK 2010, p. 30). The following measures have been implemented in marketing within the SCRÚK 2010:

 2.1. To improve coordination of marketing activities in tourism  2.2. To support changes to the media image of the region  2.3. To concentrate on marketing activities  2.4. To focus marketing activities on target groups

27  2.5. To unite the product range

The proposed measures comprise a great number of activities that are relevant for the area of interest and topical focus of the THETRIS project. A list of activities is provided in the article below according to individual measures identified within the SCRÚK 2010.

3.1.1 To improve coordination of marketing activities in tourism The objective of measure 2.1 is to ensure the more effective coordination of marketing activities in tourism by identifying the role of the regional authority, regional agencies and local stockholders. It also strives to prevent dissipation, inefficient marketing and wastage of provided funds by synchronising local and isolated activities and making other resources available. These could be assisted by:

 Cross-regional, international and cross-border cooperation and coordination in the marketing of important cross-regional or cross-border projects/products (UNESCO, Krušné hory (the Ore Mountains), Bohemian Switzerland, topical routes, core watercourses and cycle paths);  Encouragement and support for the establishment and creation of the product website's contents covering the key tourism products in the region (e.g. topical routes and circuits, tourist cards);  Use of attractive cultural and social events (municipal and historical celebrations, music and theatre festivals, etc.) to strengthen what can be offered to tourists (regional calendar of events);  Support for unambiguous and easy to identify logos, graphic designs, slogans and marketing brand names (Bohemian Garden, Bohemian Switzerland, Porta Bohemica, Temple of hops and beer, etc.) etc. (they do not need to match the names of destinations).

3.1.2 To support changes to the media image of the region The objective of the measure is to influence changes to the region´s image within the Czech Republic by presenting the positive development of the landscape and environment and active promotion of the opportunities and attractions of the region and suitable forms of tourism. The following activities should support this:

 "Positive" media campaigns (press, TV, radio, Internet – well established topical magazines, columns, programmes, portals, exhibitions) communicating a positive image for the region (variety of landscape types, gastronomy products, national park and CHKO, active holidays...);  Emphasis on historic united cross-border continuity and encouragement for border cooperation (the Ore Mountains – Erzgebirge were the centre of tourism in Central Europe 100 years ago), to use the tradition of ore and coal mining in the borderland for tourism – shared museums, nature trails, shared marketing, links to German tourist centres (winter sports);  Use of positive examples in marketing - Bohemian Switzerland, the Bohemian Uplands - image of the unique landscape – both dramatic and romantic (Milešovka –

28 the 3rd most beautiful view in the world – Humboldt, Žatec hops sold worldwide for brewing beers)

3.1.3 To concentrate on marketing activities The objective of the measure is to focus marketing consistently, continuously and in the long term on the most competitive, unique, most specific and most effective products. This should be provided by targeted promotion and support for the following:

 attractions/products of transnational and national importance - locations with the ambition to be incorporated in the UNESCO heritage list, national cultural sights (castles, monasteries, churches, memorable places), urban conservation areas, national park, landscape conservation areas;  unique and specific forms of tourism offered by the Ústí Region emphasising the most suitable presuppositions and advantages compared with other regions - mountain (mining) and industrial tourism, gastronomy - hop cultivation, beer brewing, or growing grapes, rock towns - sports and exploration tourism, paragliding, the racing circuit and hippodrome, dynamic products – festivals and regular events - e.g. connected with the Forefather Čech, Přemysl the Ploughman, the town of Terezín (referring to Emperor Joseph's era and the period of WWII, Roma culture, hop harvest celebrations, grape harvesting;  products reaching beyond the region, including cross-regional, or international cooperation (watercourses, core cycle paths);  attractions and forms with a relatively high potential, underused or neglected so far - e.g. greater use of the potential for winter sports in the Ore Mountains, water sports and waterside holidays in the foothills of the Ore Mountains, educational ecotourism in Bohemian Switzerland, castles and ruins in the Bohemian Uplands, attractively situated railway lines;  attractions and forms, environmentally-friendly - eco- and agrotourism, hiking, horseback riding- and cycle – tourism, nature trails, linking activities to the Podkrušnohorský zoopark Chomutov, the zoo in Ústí nad Labem and Děčín;  out-of-season activities to maintain operability of the services and full capacities of accommodation facilities (conference tourism, schools in nature);

3.1.4 To focus marketing activities on target groups The goal of this measure is to direct appropriate and differentiated marketing activities at selected target groups according to geographic and socio-demographic factors while using adequate marketing tools. For this measure, a relatively wide scope of target groups is defined according to their geographical origin as well as socio-demographic aspects and distribution channels. Religious groups focused on religious tourism and pilgrimages are not explicitly mentioned here. Nevertheless, visitors falling within these target groups, as well as other groups of potential visitors to religious sites and users of cultural routes, can be identified as belonging to other target groups.

29 3.1.5 To unite the product range The aim of this measure is to create realistic, specifically targeted and individually attuned tourist packages by combining previously separate products, in order to increase the variety of services, extend the length of stays and encourage repeated stays, thereby also increasing the visitors’ spending and creating a more comprehensive and positive image and awareness of the area. Combining products means the creation of more comprehensive services within the individual destinations (e.g. the 3K card), based on, for example, geographical proximity, thematic similarity of products and forms, suitable combinations and complementarity (even contrast) of products and forms, combination of various target groups and additional use of accommodation facilities and services. Activities in Measure 2.5 also include:

 combining a lesser known product with top attractions and in so doing strengthening its position  spreading quality (e.g. Bohemian Switzerland – Šluknov Region)  combining activities beyond regions and borders (the Ore Mountains, especially winter sports resorts around Klínovec, the joint presentation of the Podřipsko region, the Jiřetín region and certain parts of the Lusatian Mountains, joint educational mining trails, museums, the cross-border railway to Saxony, weekend trips in Bohemian Switzerland – Dresden)  the combination of activities and products, the building of thematic educational paths and circuits, and also the setting up of distribution channels (joint information brochures, leaflets, websites, integrated information systems) and creation of thematic trips

3.2 Programme for the development of tourism in the Bohemian Switzerland region by 2020

We will concentrate on the proposal part of this programme, called “Development Strategy 2020”. Priority 5 of this programme is concerned with marketing development. The programme states that the existing presentation of this tourist region is of a high quality, due to the long-term activities of Bohemian Switzerland P.B.C.. Nevertheless, there is a drawback in the form of the absence of marketing activities directed at concrete target groups. This priority is therefore aimed at increasing the effectiveness of marketing in connection with target groups and the main forms of tourism, as well as improving the region’s image. The opportunity for the development of tourism is seen in the connection to Saxon Switzerland and its adjoining areas, which should also expand the opportunities for the main forms of tourism and additional activities. An important activity contributing to the effort to improve the image of the region is the attempt to register Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Within this priority, the following measures are proposed:

30  Measure 5.1: New marketing of tourism  Measure 5.2: Cross-border presentation of tourist activities  Measure 5.3: Marketing of public transport for tourists  Measure 5.4: UNESCO

The goal of Measure 5.1 is the creation of marketing for the Bohemian Switzerland tourist region aimed at the selected target groups. This should be achieved by:

 Performing market surveys and follow-up marketing strategies for this tourist region, directed at defined target groups  Realization of complex marketing events with exact targeting and follow-up evaluation.  Innovation and updating of tourist packages and programmes for target groups of visitors.

The goal of Measure 5.2 is improvement in the cross-border offer of attractions on the Czech as well as German side. Among other means, this is to be achieved by:

 Presentation of services in both Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland on both sides of the border, and possibly the wider area too (the Lusatian Mountains, the Zittau Mountains, Upper Lusatia).  Sharing and spreading information on the Czech and German side about current cultural and social activities on the other side of the border.  Creation of model programmes for day, weekend and week-long stays, prepared for target groups of visitors, using attractions on both sides of the border and using the services of local entrepreneurs in tourism (summer, winter and bad weather versions)

The goal of Measure 5.3 is to create quality marketing of touristic public transport. This shall be furthered by:

 Promotion of those regional connections useable for tourist transport.  Creation of tourist products using public transport (Nationalparkbahn, package of tips for trips using public transport, quality tourist maps with public transport routes and timetables).  Development of a system of discounted railway tickets.  Introduction of a system of discounts for tourists using public transport.  Building partnerships with Czech railway and transport companies and creating new tourist products bringing benefits for passengers (bicycle rentals, discounts, accommodation, trips and discounted visits to attractions).

Measure 5.4 is aimed at strengthening the image of the Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland region by its entry to the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites. The activities of individual parties should therefore be directed at achieving the registration of Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland on the UNESCO Natural World Heritage List.

31 3.3 Summary

 The realization of marketing strategies is mostly the responsibility of the destination agency, which is the ‘České Švýcarsko, o. p. s.’ (Bohemian Switzerland P.B.C.)  Marketing strategies are aiming to improve the region’s image; in the Czech Republic by spreading a positive media image of the region (as opposed to that of a place unhealthy to live in), and abroad mostly by building an image of Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland as a single destination, and by attempting to have the region put on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  The strategic plan is to develop marketing aimed at concrete target groups and the main forms of tourism in the region.  The development of cross-border marketing, which is a good opportunity to increase the attractiveness of this tourist region through the wide range of leisure activities available to the region’s visitors on both sides of the border. Good marketing of public transport and integration of tourist products.

32 4 Strategy of protection

In the field of heritage protection strategies, the following policy documents are most relevant to the area of interest:

 National Park Bohemian Switzerland Conservation Plan 2009-2016,  Development programme for the Ústí Region 2014-2020,  The programme for the conservation of historical monuments in Czech Republic 2011 – 2016.

The above list shows the lack of strategic documents directed primarily at the protection of historical sites, or heritage preservation in the area of interest. This is due to the nature of heritage conservation in the Czech Republic, which is decentralized and provided at various levels of government administration, and to the nature of conservation funding, which is provided by multiple sources, by different subjects and at different levels of government administration; and most importantly, it is due to the amount of allocated funding being reduced since the onset of the global economic recession. The critical point in the development of heritage preservation is the insufficiency of financial means allocated to it. The amounts allocated to the protection and restoration of monuments in particular has been unsatisfactory for a long time. In such an economic climate, and taking into account the secondary importance of historical sites in the area of interest (perhaps with the exception of the Chapel of our Lady of Loreto in Rumburk), the fundamental role in securing financial means for the conservation and restoration of local historical sites must be played by municipalities. A future risk is also posed by financing the conservation and restoration of religious monuments after the implementation of Church restitutions, which will transfer the responsibility for the economic operation of the Church (and therefore of the property of the Church) to the Church itself. (In the area of interest, this will be almost exclusively the Roman Catholic Church). In religious circles, there are concerns about the lack of funds for the conservation and restoration of Church property (while available resources are directed to the actual operation of the Church itself). This situation is also caused by a rapid change in the economic and social status of the Church in comparison with its situation before nationalization, when the Church was economically fully independent, due to its operation being financed by a significantly larger number of believers and a wider range of economic activities (including the management of church farms and forests). The authors of the analyses do not know the conceptual material concerning the Church, which deals with the future protection of religious monuments in the changed economic conditions. For providing for the protection, and especially the restoration, of sites, activities of the municipalities concerned are essential, whether in the sense of providing funds for the conservation and restoration of monuments or in the sense of preparing projects directed at obtaining subsidies for the restoration and development of selected sites. In the following section of this chapter, the strategic documents referred to and suggestions relevant to this analysis are introduced.

33 4.1 Conservation Plan for Bohemian Switzerland National Park 2009-2016,

The plan for the management of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park is a development document essential for the National Park itself and the municipalities whose territory extends into the park. The plan specifies the ways of managing the concerned area and regulating its development. The object of protection in the area concerned is not only the unique natural environment, but also cultural value (cultural sites and culturally and historically valuable buildings in particular), which contribute to genius loci of a place and the overall attractiveness of the area of the National Park. The conservation plan sets out conditions and measures directed at the protection of these objects. Those conditions and measures in the Conservation Plan for the Bohemian Switzerland National Park 2009-2016 relevant to this analysis are mentioned in the following paragraphs.

4.1.1 The maintenance of objects of cultural and historical value that are not included on the Central List of Cultural Monuments Besides the declared cultural monuments and archaeological sites on the NP territory, there are many objects and locations there whose protection will be dealt with in the plan for the NP conservation. For the protection of the historical testimony of the landscape, the following will be performed:

 An inventory of objects and sites – for the clarification of relationships, in addition to objects on the NP territory the database must include objects on the territories of adjacent municipalities.  Documentation of objects (measurements, descriptions of buildings, photos)  Archive research (provision of available information on age, reasons for establishment, use, changes in the form and method of use, founder of object or site)  Recording and processing of artefacts found in the area. If an artefact shows potential historical testimony value, a specialist in a relevant field will be invited to evaluate it. After the necessary documentation by the NP, such an object will be handed over to a relevant professional organization (museum, archaeological institution or gallery) for their collection.  Processing of information for the database and GIS data.

4.1.2 Restoration and reconstruction of damaged buildings To preserve the unchanged character of the cultural face of the landscape, emphasis will be put on:

 Maintaining to the maximum possible degree the original appearance of a building, using the information and historical images available; for example, the oldest documented appearance before damage,  In the case of reconstructions, the newly reconstructed part of a building will respect the traditional morphology and arrangement of similar objects in the immediate cultural and historical territory; if necessary, consultations with specialists in the field will be requested (a heritage institute, museum, gallery or archaeological institution)

34 4.1.3 Conservation of preserved objects and sites For preserving the most intact historical testimony possible of objects and sites, the following conditions will be observed:

 The information in the database will be accessible to NP staff and specialists from expert organizations.  If an object or site possesses a high cultural and historical value, a proposal for the declaration of the object or site as a cultural monument (archaeological site) will be prepared in accordance with Act No. 20/1987 Coll., the state conservation programme, as amended  If the condition of the building or site requires intervention in the natural environment in its protection zone, this will be dealt with in cooperation with the department for planning nature protection and conservation.

4.2 Development programme for the Ústí Region 2014-2020

The Development Programme for the Ústí Region (hereinafter DPUR) is a comprehensive strategic document focused mainly on the identification of the development needs of the Ústí Region for the upcoming budget period of EU Structural Funds and the determination of proposals for measures to meet these needs. The question of historical site conservation within the proposal part of the DPUR is included in 2.4 – Culture, Sport and Leisure. The measure aims to improve the range of cultural, sporting and leisure activities for various groups of people, and to preserve and use adequately those objects and sites which are architecturally, historically, culturally and technically valuable. Activities implementing these measures may be divided into those that are the responsibility of the Ústí Region itself and those that fall within the competence of other subjects. Activities of the Regional Office of the Ústí Region:

 Purchase of the selected most endangered historical buildings, with specific intentions for their use and the preparation of projects for their regeneration supported by financing from EU Structural Funds or other external sources.  Establishment of a regional database of historically valuable objects without conservation status using existing databases (UAP, Industrial topography of UR, etc.)  Financial contribution to the preparation of projects for the regeneration of historically valuable objects  Renovation of small cultural monuments in the area and their promotion  Negotiation with the authorities and owners of culturally and historically valuable property, aiming to preserve their value  Co-ordination of development activities on the local and regional level in order to use the potential of historically valuable objects (e.g. placing public institutions in those objects)  Assistance for applicants for grants for the regeneration of historically valuable objects  Assistance for owners of historical objects who do not have sufficient capital for their maintenance/restoration, e.g. in the form of offers to potential investors

35  Pressure to change the current policy of the EU structural funds from short-term to long-term and repeating projects (including financing in the period of sustainability, e.g. the gradual reduction in funding)  Marketing of cultural events  Support of the interests, societies, cultural and sports activities of the population

Areas of activity of other subjects, including indirect support by the Ústí Region:

 Acquisition and restoration of the selected most endangered objects with a specific intention for their use (municipalities)  Creation of a system of financial incentives aimed at the preservation of the value of privately owned objects  The inclusion of this issue as a specific support objective in the future mechanism for the allocation of resources from the EU Structural Funds in the region.  Lobbying for the allocation of resources from the EU Structural Funds to this area of support  Legislative initiative leading to greater enforcement of the maintenance of dilapidated buildings by their owners  Support of NGOs working in the fields of culture, (recreational) sports and leisure activities  Broadening and improvement of cultural life  Modernization and improvement of the facilities of buildings used for cultural, (recreational) sports and leisure activities.

4.3 The Programme for the Conservation of Historical Monuments in the Czech Republic 2011 – 2016

The Programme for the Conservation of Historical Monuments is a document which defines activities regarding the conservation of historical monuments on a national level. Due to the decentralization of public administration in the area of the conservation of historical monuments, this programme contains measures of a more administrative or legislative character, with no ties to a specific territory. The document contains a set of general measures aimed mostly at: the more precise definition of requirements for the declaration of new cultural monuments, national heritage monuments and protected areas; an analysis of the current set of listed buildings and sites; the digitization of the list of cultural heritage sites; keeping more accurate records of movable cultural heritage; setting up a system for the ongoing monitoring of the state of cultural and historical heritage; developing an integrated system for the protection of movable cultural heritage; protecting cultural landscapes in the area of conservation; developing educational activities in the field of cultural heritage; and promoting the sustainable development of tourism connected with monuments. Among the measures mentioned in the policy, Measure 15 - Monuments and Tourism – is the most relevant to the THETRIS project. Among other things, this measure mentions the inclusion of cultural monuments in activities in the field of tourism while maintaining

36 conservation. The way monuments are used for tourism must not, however, lead to the deterioration of their cultural and historical value. Constituent measures within Measure 15 – Monuments and Tourism

 II.15a Supporting access to monuments, promoting them and widening the range of cultural events  II.15b Full use of the versatile potential of sites for the provision of services in tourism in a sustainable manner  II.15c Involvement of appropriate marketing tools for tourism to achieve an acceptable capitalization of cultural monuments Using some of the proceeds from tourism for the restoration of cultural monuments

4.4 Summary

 At present, there is no strategic document that would deal primarily with the protection of monuments in the area of interest.  The conditions for the protection of monuments and sites in the area of interest are set mostly by the Bohemian Switzerland National Park Management Plan 2009-2016. General activities directed towards protecting monuments, and developing the conservation of monuments, in the upcoming budget period of the EU Structural Funds, are set out in the Development Programme for the Ústí Region 2014-2020.  There is the long-term problem of the under-funding of the conservation of historical monuments, accentuated by a decrease in the funds allocated to heritage preservation due to the global economic recession.  A great future risk is posed by a decline in the preservation of religious sites as a result of a decrease in the religious observance of the population and the greater responsibility of the church for the maintenance of religious monuments due to the upcoming church restitutions.  The essential challenge in development is the greater role to be played by local institutions, mostly municipalities, in providing for the maintenance and restoration of monuments.

37 5 Good practices

This chapter gives examples of best practice. Subject to the assignment of the study we give 5 examples of good practices according to the following key points:  Competitiveness and entrepreneurship (marketing strategies related to the religious and cultural routes) – Via Sacra;  Accessibility (transport, site accessibility) - Open gates of the Zlín region, House on the hill;  Strategy of the preservation of sacred sites (programmes, plans and models of reconstruction, conservation, sight administration related to the Church) – For the life of the churches in the Broumov region, Rumurk Loreto. Good practices comply with the requirements of the general methodology of the THETRIS project, developed for regions situated in the reference area nearby the interested area. Since it is difficult to identify examples of good practice for the given topics, the area of the whole Czech Republic ad the closest Polish and German borderland is considered as a reference territorial unit. Areas with similar social-economic profile, history and landscape were of preference.

5.1 For the life of churches of the Broumov region

The project was set up in 2012. The Broumov region is located in the North East Bohemia and its cultural, landscape and social character is similar to that of Bohemian Switzerland. The objective of the project is to reconstruct 10 Baroque churches of the so called “Broumov group of churches” and to restore a centre of religious and spiritual life here which was interrupted in the late 20th century. Therefore, the revitalization is a complex project including not only reconstructions, but also activities towards creative and effective use of reconstructed buildings. The Broumov group of churches are architectural landmarks in the relevant towns and villages and they should start playing an important role in the cultural and community life again. Diverse use of reconstructed churches should also foster sustainability of its reconstruction results by generating additional funding and attention to their maintenance. The Roman Catholic Parish, Broumov Deanery initiated the project. Below see the list of those taking an active part in the project:  Omnium, o.s., Broumov  Benedictin Abbey of St. Wenceslas in Broumov  INS Náchod, spol. s.r.o. – design documents  Ing. Arch. Jan Slavík, vicarage technician  Centrum evropského plánování a.s. – Subsidy councelling and project application  Heritage authority, Broumov Municipality, Helena Burešová – technical supervision However, there are also universities and colleges, students of architecture and other stakeholders taking part in the informal cooperation or the intention of future cooperation within the project. The project funding should be supported from the resources of the Hradec Králové Region, Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic (SZIF Villages development

38 programme), Ministry of culture of the Czech Republic ((Architectural heritage conservation programme), Roman Catholic Parish – Broumov Deanery resources, prepared EHP financial mechanisms and Norwegian funding mechanism (“Norwegian funds”), donations of minor donors, i.e. from voluntary contributions to the tickets of the music festival called “The Treasures of the Broumov Region” and private foundations and foundation funds. A strategy has been developed for the project implementation, which contains the following activities and measures:  making the churches accessible for the so called religious site tourism;  educational trail between the specific churches and the monastery;  renewal of pilgrimage routes (St. Maria, St. James);  summer music festival “Treasures of the Broumov Region” (7th year in 2012);  music concerts throughout all year round;  theatre performances;  exhibitions and many other events The current project obtained funding from several resources (the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, the Hradec Králové Region, municipalities and towns). The funding covered reconstruction of 2 churches. Thanks to that two dilapidated churches could be preserved and reconstructed. We have seen unique efforts and activities of various stakeholders who got involved in the project or helped obtain the funding, such as different celebrities, institutions and businessmen. In 2012, the town hosted the 7th year of the music festival – “The Treasures of the Broumov Region”. The festival contributes to the development of the local cultural life and promotion of the local sights. The “For the life of churches in the Broumov region” project envisages successive implementation and revitalization of the concerned churches in several phases due to the considerable number of churches and limited funding. Phase A – three churches from the Broumov group should be completely repaired, i.e. the Church of All Saints in Heřmánkovice, the Church of St. James the Greater in Ruprechtice and the Church of St. Anne in Vižňov. There is a possibility to use the “Norwegian fund” subsidies. Phase B – repair of the Church of St. Margaret in Šonov, with an opportunity to use the subsidy from the SZIF Villages development programme. Phase C – reconstruction of the Church of St. Barbara in Otovice, using the funding from the Conservation of the architectural heritage programme provided by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. Both regional and national stakeholders are involved in the project. Reconstruction and conservation of unique churches of the Broumov group will help preserve the local cultural heritage. The additional activities focusing on making churches accessible for the public and their revival will help develop local identity, spiritual, cultural and social life and tourism. It is relatively well known project and its popularity improves the visualisation of the peripheral Broumov region. The project creates links between reconstruction and "soft activities" such as organization of cultural events and preparation of the educational trail, which are transferable for any projects aimed at reconstruction and revival of churches. It also employs a real application of

39 partnership principles - by involving local, regional and national authorities of public and private entities. Its financial principles based on using multiple public and private funds are quite relevant for overcoming limited funding for heritage preservation, which is a quite common shortage in many countries.

5.2 Open Gates of the Zlín region

Southern and Central Moravia is probably the only region with best developed, promoted and used cultural and sacred routes in terms of marketing and tourism. This is because the region has many sacred sites and several famous pilgrimage places. “Sacred sites and pilgrimage places in Moravia” is an open project of the sacred site tourism product. It involves various religious sites and events in the region of Southern and Central Moravia considering the marketing communication. (approximately South Moravian Region, Zlín Region and Olomouc Region). Last but not least, specific web portals, brochures, or travel agencies offer the product in different modifications and variants in terms of the concerned places, length of stay or type of travelling (individual vs. organised group tourism). The unifying element of the project is its location (Moravia), target groups (visitors, more than local inhabitants) and marketing concept (open tourism product). On the other hand, the project is not focused on a specific complex of sacred and cultural heritage with a common architectural style or type of sacred buildings. Several religious routes and other projects are linked to the project, e.g. Open Gates project in the Zlín Region as an ancillary project. The “Open Gates” project focuses on reconstruction and re-opening of churches in Eastern Moravia. The project was launched in 2009 and still continues. The aim of the project is to make a wide set of highly-valued sacred sites accessible. The churches can associate the visitor with the history of the place and show the traditions and customs of the local culture. The project is implemented by the Regional Authority of the Zlín Region, 18 towns and municipalities, the Olomouc Archdiocese, 20 parishes, information centre in Zlín, Faculty of Theology of Cyril and Methodius in Olomouc, Eastern Moravia destination agency and citizens’ association of Svatý Hostýn. The Regional Authority of the Zlín Region arranges guides’ training, provides methodology support and publishes brochures which are distributed in churches, information centres and tourism trade fairs via other partners of the project. Brochures have different language versions. While activities connected to opening of the churches are not very costly, it might attract more tourists, generate higher income of local communities and church-based activities and therefore strengthen economic sustainability of local communities and parishes (including the positive effect on funding the maintenance of sacred sites). 20 churches have been opened to the public since 2009, of which 8 churches in 2010, 3 churches in 2011 and 9 churches in 2012. The re-opened churches can be visited all year round from May to October. Excursions in churches are provided by trained guides free of charge. Until 2012, approx. 60 guides were trained, among them students, seniors and women on maternity leave. Excursions in some churches are accompanied by organ concerts or visits to other local places of interest. The project is funded from own resources of project partners. In 2012, the project budget consisted of CZK 360,000.- from the Zlín Region and CZK 515,000.- from municipalities, minor donations and parishes.

40 In 2012, more than 80,000 visitors saw the re-opened churches. A self-evaluation for the year comprises a workshop and a press conference held annually. The project is promoted on the web site of the Eastern Moravia tourist centre, at tourism trade fairs in Bohemia and in media (TV, radio, press). The project is also promoted by parishes, municipalities and towns. The project has created new tourist attractions, revived local churches and made local tourism industry more viable. It has also brought together various stakeholders (public administration, parishes, civic associations, population, academic institutions), who might foster further progress towards more viable and visited local communities and its heritage. New jobs (60 guides) were created (however, these are seasonal part-time jobs). The project has driven attention to the region and participating communities.

Map 1: Sacred sites and pilgrimage places in Moravia

Resource: taken from www.amber-trail.cz The involvement of trained guides and offering such a service free of charge as one part of the offered product can be an example of inspiration and it can be translated to other similar foreign projects. The partnership of various stakeholders not only encourages the implementation of the project but it can also positively affect any potential future activities in the interested area. A high number of visitors (result of well prepared marketing guided excursions free of charge) and rather low expenses can be inspiring, too.

5.3 Via Sacra

Via Sacra is a pilgrimage route located running along important sacred sites at the border of three countries - Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. It connects 17 places and is located at regions neighbouring Bohemian Switzerland. Via Sacra was started in 2005. The museum at the Church of the Holy Cross in Zittau initiated the project. Via Sacra is a new tourist route following the old cultural regions of Upper Lusatia, Lower Silesia and northern Bohemia. Its goal is to revive ancient merchant and pilgrimage routes, churches and other sacred heritage, to promote tourism in the region and knowledge the regional heritage of the

41 local population. Via Sacra revives a long tradition of the Central European culture formed by centuries of coexistence of Germans, Sorbs, Poles and Czechs at the upper reaches of the Lusatian River Neisse. It helps discover legends, traditions and history of the region by local residents and especially by visitors to the region. Via Sacra is a product of sacred sites tourism. It features 16 churches and other sacred sites. The project has been developed by three key organisations: Marketing Association of Upper Lusatia – Lowe Silesia, The Region of Lower Silesia (Poland) and The Regional Authority of the Liberec Region (Czech Republic). Several town and city administrations as well as entrepreneurs (tourist agencies) and NGOs are partners of the project. Via sacra is targeted on pilgrims, regular tourists as well as local inhabitants. By creating a new, specific product of tourism, it helps promote development of the regional tourism industry and its sustainability. It also spreads knowledge of local inhabitants and visitors about regional sacred heritage and therefore creates conditions for its future preservation. Several churches were repaired in relation to the involvement of some parishes. Web site have been created and articles published to provide information about Via Sacra. A printed guide-book was published for Via Sacra in the German language. Via Sacra is presented at several tourism trade fairs in Germany and the Czech Republic each year. 10 accommodation facilities are recommended in the guide-book and the web site (6 facilities in Germany, 2 in CZ and 2 in Poland). Boarding facilities include hotels and hostels located at parish offices. 14 organisations (tourist agencies, information centres, parish offices) organise tours and excursions to explore the Via Sacra sites. Various visitors travel on Via Sacra. The route is popular both with pilgrims and regular tourists. Some visitors head to see sacred sites or cultural and religious events held in towns and municipalities on Via Sacra (pilgrimages, fairs, concerts, exhibitions, etc.). According to regional stakeholders, some excursions are quite popular with visitors. However, lack of data make it impossible to specify the exact number of those visiting Via Sacra and associated activities and events. Various cultural and religious events take place within the Via Sacra product, therefore, the cultural and spiritual life in municipalities has been developing. The total number of visitors in the region and its attractiveness has increased once the products has been set up which favourably affected the income from. At some parts of the region Via Sacra fosters off- season tourism (particularly in winter resorts). The Via Sacra project can be inspiring with a wide range of the used marketing instruments. The clearly formulated marketing strategy of the project can be positively transferred to other projects. It had been developed as a bottom-up project. Then it received respect on both regional and national levels. Via Sacra is an example of a project encouraging cross-border cooperation which is important for (mostly peripheral) border areas. A guide-book for Via Sacra containing information about places and accommodation facilities is an example of a well-prepared popularization of the project/product.

42 Map 2: Pilgrimage route Via Sacra

Resource: http://www.liberecky-kraj.cz/dr-cs/4506-poutni-stezka-via-sacra.html

5.4 House on the hill, Rumburk

The Project "House on the hill" (Domeček Na Kopečku) is carried out by civic association Dokořán Rumburk, which was founded in 2005 in renew the use of the historical extension to the Evangelic Church in Rumburk. The church was reconstructed after a devastating fire in 2003. The initial idea of the project was to open gates of this historic structure to all people, who want to meet and actively participate in the cultural life of the town of Rumburk. Therefore the civic association was named "Dokořán Rumburk" (transl. "wide open"). The target group of the project is the citizens of the city of Rumburk and its environs who want to take an active part in the local cultural and social life. Another target group consists of handicapped people. The disabled personnel work in the local tearoom and café which is a type of the so called “protected workplace for handicapped”. Since the House on the hill succeeded to establish itself as a venue for alternative social and cultural activities in the region, its sustainability is based on demand for such activities. By long term operation a decent group of regular visitors has been formed, what creates promising conditions for sustaining and further developing of its operation in the future. As a part of the project, a tea room and café was opened in 2007 as a place where the local community can meet. It is also a protected and supported workshop for handicapped people, who work in the café. The handicapped personnel have an opportunity to integrate in the local community and to improve their social and professional competences. The place hosts meetings every Wednesday (called “Tea Wednesdays”) with a cultural programme

43 presenting regional, amateur and alternative culture (concerts, varnishing days, travellers` presentations, discussions, etc.). Since 2007, a small-scale festival is held here every summer, the so called “Small Art Festival”. A gallery has been opened (called the “Upstairs Gallery”) in the extension. It regularly hosts exhibitions of photographs, drawings and paintings by regional, more or less famous, artists. The new intention to continue developing the site is the “White Garden” project. Its objective is to revitalize the garden surrounding the church and its extension. Within the project, two facilities have been opened in the extension to the Evangelic Church. - the tea room and café and gallery. These facilities are regularly used as venues for social and cultural events. Organized meetings (called the Tea Wednesdays) have been held every Wednesday for many years now. They have gained a regular group of visitors (approx. 20- 50 visitors / meeting). Since 2007, the Festival of small arts has been held every summer (approx. 200 visitors / festival). A number of handicapped people have been employed at the tearoom and cafe and have improved their social and professional competences. The added value of the project to the local environment is the reconstruction of the site after the devastating fire and opening the Evangelic church to the public, its regular use, which contributes to the local social and cultural life. The open space is also a place of informal meetings of the local community. It has helped integrate local handicapped people in society and improve their competences. It also promotes both the Evangelic church and Rumburk as well as the local cultural events to the target group of people seeking alternative cultural events. The project might be inspiring for "revival" of historic sacred buildings, esp. those, which are not frequently visited by tourists. The project gives a good example how sacred sites can become a place of local social and cultural life. Such projects can be adopted anywhere, where there is an active support by the residents and non-profit interest of local stakeholders. The potential of increasing the added value of a site transferrable to other EU countries (particularly where subsidies are provided to jobs for handicapped people) is the opportunity to employ handicapped people. Creation of subsidised jobs is also a suitable instrument to ensure the sustainability of the place (since such operations are usually not profitable enough to create regular jobs).

5.5 Rumburk Loreto

The northernmost situated Loreto Chapel of Our Lady (the Loreto Chapel) in Europe, located in Rumburk, is probably the most remarkable sacred building in the area of interest of Bohemian Switzerland and the Šluknov region. The Baroque chapel (1704 – 1709) is part of the former Capuchin monastery (1683 – 1690) and is surrounded by the cloister (1743 – 1755) into which the Holy Stairs and the Calvary Shrine are incorporated (1767 – 1770). The Loreto chapel fell into disrepair due to poor maintenance under communism, its renovation started in 1996. The cloister's artistic decorations are still being restored (especially the ceiling and wall paintings). This restoration work is to continue over a long period since funds are being allocated very slowly. Activities connected with the renovation and revival of the site fall under the auspices of the Rumburk municipal authority and different subsidies donated by the Roman Catholic Parish - the Deanery in Rumburk in cooperation with the Roman Catholic parish in Jiříkov, the

44 Schrödinger institute and the Labour Office. The site's activities focus on target groups – usually both Czech and foreign tourists (especially tourists seeking sights, people with children) and pilgrims and local residents (parish members, visitors to cultural events). The main target activities at the site focus on its renovation, i.e. its optimum condition and the revival of the spiritual and cultural centre in Rumburk and its environs. The site represents a treasure of the regional cultural heritage. The ambition is to attract potential visitors and to increase the visitor rate. The site is undergoing reconstruction and renovation of the artwork and decorations. The original pilgrimage traditions have been resumed, and there are numerous spiritual, cultural and social activities taking place to make it the main regional target for cultural, educational and religious tourism. Any future success in the renovation of the site and the organisation of different activities can contribute to the growth in prestige of the site among the local population and tourists and encourage a continuous increase in the visitor rate. Since 1996, the site has been under reconstruction focusing on improving the impaired statics of the structures as well as on improving their condition. Also being carried out is a long-term renovation of the artwork and decorations. The Loreto is open to visitors all year round. In the cloister a tourist information centre was opened between 1997 – 2005. Since 2006, tourist and other information has been provided by the Loreto personnel during guided tours. Apart from regular holy mass and one annual fair, the site hosts a number of cultural and social activities. Numerous exhibitions take place here as well. Many of them provide a consistent insight into the history of the region and the history of pilgrimage sites in the Šluknov region. The cloister currently hosts three permanent Czech-German exhibitions displaying the history of the building. The site owner pursues publishing activities thanks to which many of the promotional leaflets display information on the history and importance of the site in Czech and German. In 2013, the entrance building of the Loreto will host the Exhibition of religious art of the Šluknov region, open to the public and supported by the National Intervention Fund. It will also focus on the presentation of pilgrimage sites in the region, Stations of the Cross and demolished churches in the Šluknov region. From 2013, Loreto in Rumburk will be an important part of the marketing product Pilgrimage Route in the Šluknov region. The Loreto Chapel has been preserved thanks to the work carried out over the last two decades and it will be maintained for future generations. Its accessibility to the public throughout all year, maintaining the pilgrimage tradition and a number of cultural, spiritual and social events make the site one of the top targets of cultural and religious tourism in the region with a relatively high visitor rate. The site is visited by more than 8000 people every year. The great number of religious, cultural and social events also encourages the local spiritual, cultural and social life. It is worth mentioning, for example, the Loreto celebrations, held every September to commemorate the completion and consecration of the Loreto Chapel, which took place on 15 September 1707 (in 2013 the 17th year of the celebrations will be held). It is visited by 300 – 500 people. Since 2007, the Loreto Night has taken place in May within the Museum Night Festival, the only event of this type in the Děčín district. The turnout is about 300 people. Summer and winter evening guided tours of the Loreto with candles and accompanying organ music have become very popular (average turnout 50 people). Apart from Děčín Castle, the Loreto in Rumburk is the only building in the region where similar events take place. The guided tours are offered in Czech and German due to

45 the number of visitors from Germany. Despite these achievements, the Loreto Chapel still remains an undiscovered cultural jewel of the region. To strengthen its position among cultural attractions of the region and to increase its visitor rate, it will be necessary to continue the current activities over a long period of time (particularly the renovation of the artwork and decorations and the organizing of different events). The reconstruction and renovation of the site and its artwork and decorations has helped restore and preserve this unique cultural sight, which is the main local attraction and contributes to the local genius loci. Numerous religious, cultural and social events held annually at the site contribute to the local spiritual, cultural and social life. The increasing number of visitors to the site generates demand for local services and contributes to the development of local economics. The activities at the Loreto Chapel link the reconstructed site to so-called "soft activities" such as the organizing of fairs, holy mass, cultural and social events, which are activities usable in all projects focusing on the reconstruction and revival of churches.

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