The ANOPA Annual Heritage Award: Celebrating Icons of Czech Culture

The award is not limited solely to monument owners, but recognises a wide range of professionsthat contribute to their protection, accessibility and interpretation for the public. The winners are selected by a seven-member evaluation committee comprising representatives of ANOPA and partner organisations from the fields of tourism and heritage conservation.

People without whom heritage sites would lose their meaning

The awards are presented in four categories, covering key areas of heritage management :

• • Castellan of the Year – for long-term and systematic management of a heritage site

• • Guide of the Year – for the ability to convey the stories of heritage sites in a clear, engaging and professional manner

• • Contractor of the Year – for high-quality and responsible collaboration in the field of heritage conservation

• • Initiative of the Year – for an exceptional project or activity benefiting heritage sites and tourism

Custodian of the Year: the people who keep heritage sites alive

Category Custodian of the Year highlights the importance of long-term and systematic management of historic buildings. A castle keeper is not just a building manager – they are also an organiser of cultural life, a coordinator of repairs and someone who seeks new ways to bring the monument closer to visitors.
The 2025 award was presented to Ivana Holásková from Lednice Castle, Miroslav Konopásek from Houska Castle and Václav Kůs from Kašperk Castle. Each of them demonstrates in their own way that a well-managed heritage site can be not only a historical witness to the past, but also a living place in the present.

Guide of the Year: those who tell the stories of historic sites

Historic sites come to life primarily thanks to the people who are able to convey their stories to visitors. The category Guide of the Year recognises individuals who combine knowledge, enthusiasm and the ability to captivate an audience.
Among those honoured are Jitka Kottková from Valdštejn Castle, Ivo Mirošovský from Svojanov Castle and Alexandr Koukol, a guide at Loučeň Castle. It is often the guides who determine whether you take away just information from a tour, or a genuine experience.

Supplier of the Year: the craftsmanship without which historic buildings would not survive

Heritage conservation also relies on the work of craftsmen and specialistswho are able to repair historic buildings whilst respecting their original form. The category Contractor of the Year highlights the importance of these professions, which often remain outside the public eye.
The award was presented to joiner Libor Hypš from Česká Kamenice, the Koulier Craft Christmas Glassworks and Vít Slavík, who specialises in plumbing and roofing work. Their work is proof that traditional crafts still play an irreplaceable role in the care of historic monuments.

Achievement of the Year: projects that breathe new life into monuments

In addition to individuals, the Association of Non-State Open Monuments also recognises projects that take heritage tourism in a new direction. The category Achievement of the Year highlights activities that open up historic buildings to the public or give them a new purpose.
The awards went to Poděbrady Spa for opening Žinkovy Castle to the public, the Žďár Castle Association for developing services through the Inventorium playroom, and Brandýs nad Labem Castle for the ‘Secrets of Lost Crafts’ festival, which introduces visitors to traditional craft skills.

Public Choice Award: decided by visitors

The public also took part in the awards. In a vote involving more than five thousand people, the most votes went to Miloš Dempír from Poláky Castle, nominated in the category Castle Keeper of the Year. The other places were taken by the ‘Story of the Christmas Tree’ project from Loučeň Castle and Helena Kohoutová from the Minorite Monastery of St James in Prague, also nominated in the category Castellan of the Year.
The results show that visitors to heritage sites appreciate not only the historic buildings themselves, but also the people and projects that bring them to life.

Why the ANOPA Award matters

The ANOPA Award serves as a reminder that heritage sites are not to be taken for granted. They are the result of day-to-day work, expert decisions and the personal dedication of the peoplewho maintain, repair and open them to the public.

It is thanks to them that historic castles, manor houses, monasteries and other monuments can remain living places that connect the past with the present and inspire future generations of visitors.