Geoheritage, Historical and Cultural Landscape and Its Protection in Slovakia

Abstract

AbstractGeological history of the territory of the Slovak Republic resulted in the evolution of many features and sites of national and international importance that contribute to the geodiversity of the country. Within the national framework, these locations can be considered as geoheritage of Slovakia. As many of such places have been used by humans for hundreds of years, human activity significantly affected or contributed to changes in recent georelief. Recognition of importance and uniqueness of such places, both geoheritage sites and historical and cultural sites related to landscape and landforms in Slovakia, has led to their protection which has a relatively long tradition from the thirteenth century. However, until the present day, there is no specific protection of this heritage and these sites or locations are protected within a wider framework—Act No. 543/2002 on the Protection of Nature and Landscape enabling to establish protected areas, protect caves, waterfalls, minerals, morphological features, etc. Adopting legal, conceptual and other documents, directly and indirectly, helps conservation and sustainable development of this heritage. Additionally, various civic organizations and geopark management teams contribute to the protection and preservation of geoheritage and related cultural-historical heritage in Slovakia. Thanks to such activities, protection of geological heritage and the cultural and historical landscape are more effective so they can be preserved and appreciated not only by recent but future generations too.KeywordsGeoheritageGeoconservationCultural and historical landscapeProtectionSlovakia