Poland initiates UNESCO nomination for historic town Sandomierz

On Sunday, 2 August, Vice‑Minister of Culture and General Conservator of Monuments Bożena Żelazowska announced the start of the formal procedure to nominate the historic town of Sandomierz for UNESCO World Heritage status. She said the application can count on her support and on substantive and financial assistance from the ministry, but warned the process will be difficult and lengthy, requiring extensive work by Polish experts and the UNESCO committee. Żelazowska noted that Poland will sit on the UNESCO committee for the next five years and intends to use that position to benefit national monuments.

Mayor Paweł Niedźwiedź called the day important for Sandomierz, saying the nomination will give the city a “second breath” and raise its standing. County head Marcin Piwnik announced the creation of an Honorary Committee, comprising representatives of cultural institutions, businesses and Bishop Krzysztof Nitkiewicz, to support the bid beyond political divisions. The Castle Museum in Sandomierz, directed by Marcin Adamczewski, will monitor the process; Adamczewski highlighted the town’s urban‑historical ensemble and its historic role in European values, political thought and literature.