The main cultural assets of Slovenia and the legal framework

Slovenia is located in Central Europe, covering 20 273 Km², with a population of 2 100 000 inhabitants, and rich cultural and natural heritage. The protection of heritage is stipulated in the Slovenian Constitution and regulated by specific legislation. Professional care for immovable heritage has been organized since 1913. The Slovenian central register includes more than 30 000 immovable heritage units, while the Government has proclaimed 334 monuments of national importance, in addition to 8 100 monuments of local importance proclaimed by local authorities.

The cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List

The Slovenian sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List include two natural and two cultural sites: Škocjan Caves in the Karst Region; Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathiams and other regions of Europe; Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps; and the Mercury Heritage in Idrija. Five more Slovenian sites are on the Tentative List. The representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity includes four elements: Škofja Loka, Passion Pkay, Door-to-door rounds of Kurenti, Bobbin lacemaking in Slovenia and Art of dry-stone walling, knowledge and techniques. Slovenia participates in other UNESCO programmes such as the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks Network, Memory of the World and Wetlands of International Importance. Three sites have been awarded the European Heritage label, i.e. Partisan Hospital Franja, Memorial Church Javoraca and the poem Zdravljica (Toast).

The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia carries out professional and administrative tasks aimed at the preservation of immovable heritage, together with associated and movable and intangible cultural heritage. The Institute has seven regional offices and a Central Registration Office. Their research and projects are regularly submitted to the Varstvo spomenikov publication (Protection of Monuments) available also in the ICCROM library.

In Slovenia there is a widespread network of Museums with 15 State Museums and State Galleries along with 36 Municipal Museums; the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum is the co-ordinator for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

Slovenia is a Member State of ICCROM since 29/03/1996

Mandates in ICCROM Council since 1958:

ICCROM Staff since 1959: - None -

• Ministry of Culture
  
• Slovenian Museums
  
• Heritage preservation and restoration in Slovenia
  
• GIS Portal
  
• Constitution
  
• Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia
  

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