International Council on Monuments and Sites ICOMOS

ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites):

This international organization, having its registered headquarters in Paris, was established in 1965 in Warsaw and is the only world non-governmental organization comprising experts in the domain of protection and renovation of architectural historic buildings and historic monuments. At ICOMOS, whose activities are aimed at large-scale promotion of modern theories, methodology and scientific technologies, which translate into improving practices inarchitectural and archeological heritage protection, national committees operate in particular countries as do expert committees (e.g. Committee for Underwater Cultural Heritage or Committee for Archaeological Heritage Management). It is ICOMOS that is the UNESCO advisor on World Heritage Sites. In Poland there is the Polish National ICOMOS Committee.

Krakow has been a member of the ICOMOS International Council on Monuments and Sites since 1995, pursuant to the Resolution of the Krakow City Council no. XXXII/298/95 dated 25 October 1995. The accession of Krakow to the Council was aimed at intensifying the participation of ICOMOS international experts in conservation works in the Krakow area (e.g. renovation of stained-glass windows in the St. Mary's Church), as well as at ongoing cooperation of UNESCO experts with regional renovation centres under the supervision of the Council of Europe, at the organization of international congresses and conferences of national and local importance as well as participation in them, and finally at collection, analysis and distribution of information concerning appropriate principles and techniques of renovation.

Coordination of cooperation:

The Culture and National Heritage Department is the coordinator of Krakow's participation in the organization's activities.