Striking pictorial map of the Czech Republic entitled “MĚSTSKÉ PAMÁTKOVÉ REZERVACE ČSR” (Monumental Urban Reserves of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic) conceived by Jaroslav Vildt and published in 1979 by the Ministry of Culture of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. It is a graphic representation designed to enhance and promote the architectural heritage of Czechoslovak cities.
The map is produced in a lively illustrative style with buildings depicted in a stylized but recognizable manner, with details emphasizing Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
Among the many historic centers illustrated, the following stand out:
-Prague (Praha): Dominated by Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, icons of the capital.
-Český Krumlov: Depicted with its castle and old town, symbols of the Bohemian Renaissance.
-Kutná Hora: Famous for the Church of St. Barbara and the wealth derived from silver mining.
-Telč: Famous for the perfectly preserved Renaissance square.
-Olomouc and Brno: Great historic centers of Moravia, with remarkable examples of Baroque and Gothic architecture.
-České Budějovice, Jihlava, Litomyšl, Znojmo, Třeboň, Cheb, Františkovy Lázně: Each represented with distinctive elements of their respective historic centers.
The poster is not only a decorative, but also an educational and propagandistic tool and celebrates Socialist Czechoslovakia’s commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage as a symbol of national identity.
In the lower part, the five-column text explains the importance of the cultural landscape of Bohemia and Moravia as a collective heritage; the commitment of the socialist state to the preservation of architectural and urban heritage; the value of urban reserves as “living spaces” in which tradition, modernity, and social functionality are combined; and the role of reserves as historical testimonies and educational tools for future generations.
