Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyse two main fields, current issues of minority monuments in the Czech Republic and specific risks arising from overtourism that these monuments may face. Minority monuments have so far attracted a minimum of expert interest in the Czech Republic, but are at present an issue, as the only feasible way to address the current requirements of German minority is to protect minority monuments.
The purpose of the paper is to show how particular political and legal issues may influence the use of minority monuments for tourism. The conclusion of the paper focuses on the exceptional legal complexity of the issues relating to minorities, the preservation of monuments, and tourism under the circumstances of drafting a new law to regulate the preservation of monuments, which has been unsuccessful for a long time now.
Overtourism is a complex issue in modern tourism that is particularly sensitive in locations of reverence or of religious character, which is a common feature in minority monuments. The situation is analysed using the example of Jewish monuments of the eastern part of Central Bohemia where in particular Kolín (referred to as Jerusalem on the Elbe even by the current management of the city) has far-reaching plans for the Jewish quarter.
The three most frequently visited monuments in the Czech Republic after the unique Prague Castle are the Jewish monuments of the overburdened centre of Prague, whereas Kolín, with its many unique monuments of Judaism, is easily accessible. The paper analyses the current efforts to intensify the use of Jewish monuments and the risks of overloading the structure of the monitored towns taking into account security issues as well as specific issues applicable to places of reverence and religious monuments.
The use of authenticity is a trend in tourism, as illustrated by often trendy minority (e.g., Jewish) monuments, however such monuments are particularly sensitive to overtourism. From the perspective of jurisprudence, the long-term objective is to produce a legal conception of the protection of minority monuments and guidelines for their use in particular based on the experience from Kolín.