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Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří (Ore Mountains) mining region in Saxony and Bohemia recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site
At its 43rd session in Baku/Azerbaijan today (6 July), the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognised the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří mining region as a World Heritage site.
Michelle Müntefering, Federal Foreign Office Minister of State for International Cultural Policy, issued the following statement on this decision:
Congratulations to the cross-border Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří mining region. The international cooperation has proved successful. Industrial cultural heritage in Bohemia and Saxony is of unique importance and universal value. I am delighted about this first joint World Heritage site with the Czech Republic. This also sends an important European message and demonstrates the very close cultural connections between our countries.
The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří mining region is an extraordinary testament to the outstanding role and major global impact of the Saxony-Bohemia region as a centre for technological and scientific innovations from the Renaissance to the modern era. During several periods of mining history, the region was the cradle of important mining achievements that were successfully passed on or influenced subsequent developments in other mining regions. One of these achievements was the foundation of the first mining academy. The constant global emigration of well-trained miners from Saxony and Bohemia played a key role in sharing developments and improvements in mining technology and the sciences associated with it. Proof of this exchange can still be found in the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří mining region today.