It is an international recognition of modernist Kaunas as a site of exceptional cultural significance on a global scale.

The city gains prestige, a kind of “quality brand” that enhances Kaunas’s appeal to tourists, investors, and local residents alike. This status obliges us all to preserve and manage the interwar heritage.

No. There are about 1,500 buildings constructed or reconstructed during the interwar period that have survived to this day within the heritage area. The most valuable of these are listed in the Cultural Heritage Registry and are protected as state or municipal cultural heritage objects.

The area also contains numerous structures and elements that are not considered valuable from a cultural heritage perspective and are not subject to heritage protection. These can be reconstructed, renovated, or even demolished. Construction of new buildings and structures is also allowed within the area and buffer zone, provided they do not negatively impact the heritage site.

UNESCO World Heritage status does not prohibit the development of the city; it encourages development that aligns with sustainable development standards. If you are unsure about specific requirements or restrictions for your property, you can contact the Cultural Heritage Division of the Kaunas City Municipal Administration for assistance.

The primary funding mechanism supporting the restoration of cultural heritage buildings in Kaunas is the Heritage Management Programme. Priority is given to interwar modernist buildings located within the UNESCO World Heritage site or marked with the European Heritage Label. More about the programme: paveldotvarka.kaunas.lt/

Managers of cultural heritage sites can apply for funding programmes administered by the Department of Cultural Heritage. A detailed list is available at: kpd.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/finansine-paramakulturos-paveldui/.

The preservation of all UNESCO World Heritage sites in Lithuania is the responsibility of the Republic of Lithuania. The functions of the local manager for "Modernist Kaunas: The Architecture of Optimism, 1919–1939" are carried out by the Cultural Heritage Division of Kaunas City Municipal Administration, with the designated contact person being the Head of the Division, Saulius Rimas. The local manager ensures the implementation of the measures and activities outlined in the site's management plan.

It is the primary document, a kind of “constitution,” which sets out the principles, goals, objectives, and action plans for managing the site. The management plan is approved by the Kaunas City Municipal Council and is updated every six years.

A significant portion of the "day-to-day" cultural heritage protection functions, as established by the Law on the Protection of Immovable Cultural Heritage, are also carried out by the Kaunas Territorial Division of the Cultural Heritage Department under the Ministry of Culture.

The Ministry of Culture is authorised to represent modernist Kaunas in UNESCO World Heritage institutions on behalf of the state.

It is not a finite list of buildings, but rather an urban area – part of the city – that is included in the World Heritage List. It encompasses the areas of Kaunas Naujamiestis, Žaliakalnis, Ąžuolynas, as well as the Church of Christ’s Resurrection and the Research Laboratory Complex, along with all the buildings, streets, green spaces, and engineering structures located within. The total area of the heritage site is 455.3 hectares, surrounded by a buffer zone covering 859.4 hectares. See the map.

The European Heritage Label (EHL) is a completely separate initiative from UNESCO, implemented by the European Commission. Its purpose is to strengthen European identity.

Unlike the UNESCO World Heritage List, Kaunas nominated 44 of the most outstanding modernist buildings for the European Heritage Label, rather than an entire urban area. Their façades are marked with stylised information plaques featuring the EHL logo.

The European Heritage Label was awarded to modernist Kaunas in 2015. "Kaunas 1919–1940" is currently the only heritage site in Lithuania to have conferred this status.

The most valuable buildings are those that have preserved their authentic exterior and interior, decoration, or fragments of them. Among these are undoubtedly the Kaunas Central Post Office, "Pienocentras", the current KTU Central Building, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, Vytautas the Great War Museum, the National M.K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, Kaunas Garrison Officers' Club, the V. Putvinskis Street house complex, the Basilica of Christ’s Resurrection, the Research Laboratory, and many others.

At that time, outstanding examples of modernism were designed by architects such as Vytautas Landsbergis-Žemkalnis, Arnas Funkas, Feliksas Vizbaras, Stasys Kudokas, Karolis Reisonas, Vladimiras Dubeneckis, and other renowned names.

Not at all. Kaunas modernism’s outstanding universal value lies not only in its interwar architecture but also in its natural elements: the landscape, the Nemunas River slopes, and green spaces. Additionally, it includes urban structures such as historic street routes, squares, compositional axes, panoramas, perspectives, volumetric and spatial structures, historically established city areas, the functions of distinctive buildings, and intangible heritage. The latter includes the memories, traditions, experiences, and the spirit of place (Latin: Genius loci) that formed during the interwar period.

No, the inclusion of the property in the UNESCO World Heritage List has not altered or restricted the existing national and local legal regulations or their requirements.

Cultural heritage protection continues to be governed by the legal framework set out in the Law on the Protection of Immovable Cultural Heritage, heritage management regulations, evaluation council acts, individual regulations, and specific cultural heritage plans.

The 'Modernist Kaunas' area consists of several heritage sites registered in the Cultural Heritage Register, as well as complexes and individual cultural heritage objects: Naujamiestis (unique code 22149), Žaliakalnis 1st District (unique code 31280), Žaliakalnis 2nd District (unique code 22148), Kaunas Ąžuolynas Complex (unique code 44581), Research Laboratory Complex (unique code 28567), and the Church of Christ’s Resurrection (unique code 16005).

Some Kaunas buildings within the UNESCO World Heritage area are open to visitors, while others are private or operate on a schedule with ticketing systems.

For the best routes and recommended sights, we suggest contacting the Kaunas IN tourism information centre or visiting their website: visit.kaunas.lt/en/.

The World Heritage List consists of cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value, significant to all of humanity. Examples include the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, and the Acropolis in Greece. Now, modernist Kaunas has also joined this prestigious list. Preserving these sites is not only the responsibility of the country where they are located but also the duty of the international community as a whole.

The UNESCO World Heritage List currently includes nearly 1,200 natural and cultural heritage sites across 168 countries. Five material heritage sites from Lithuania are included in the World Heritage List:

• Vilnius Historic Centre (1994)
• Curonian Spit (2000)
• Kernavė Archaeological Site (2004)
• Struve Geodetic Arc (2005)
• Modernist Kaunas (2023)

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention is arguably the most important international legal instrument supporting the preservation of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Today, 193 countries are signatories to the convention, making it one of the most successful and effective systems for heritage protection and international cooperation, uniting the global community in safeguarding heritage. One of the core goals of the convention is to demonstrate responsible solidarity and shared responsibility among nations to protect humanity’s unique values and cultural experiences.

A country that has joined the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage has the right to nominate national assets for the World Heritage List. This allows the country to actively participate in international cultural heritage cooperation processes, offer and receive expert assistance in the fields of art, science, and technology, and in exceptional cases, apply for financial support.

The UNESCO World Heritage status serves as a globally recognized badge of honour and quality, signifying international recognition. These heritage sites are some of the most competitive and visited tourist destinations worldwide and are key representational resources that contribute to shaping a country’s image.

World Heritage sites are also important economic resources, promoting inbound tourism, enhancing national appeal, and contributing to cultural awareness, with undeniable economic returns. It is one of the significant representative resources contributing to the image of the country.

International recognition promotes pride and respect for national treasures, fosters public awareness, and encourages civic solidarity to preserve heritage that is important for present and future generations.

Greater understanding and responsibility lead to higher levels of heritage protection and preservation.

Before a site can be considered for inclusion in the World Heritage List, it must undergo a lengthy nomination process that takes at least two years. Only the country in which the heritage site is located can submit the nomination proposal. Prior to starting the nomination process, the site must first be included in the Tentative List of the Member States' Heritage Sites of the Convention.

The country is required to prepare an application that, based on the selection criteria set by the World Heritage Committee, explains the reasons for nominating the site and provides protection and management measures, along with a detailed plan. This application is submitted by official government authorities.

Once the application is prepared, it is sent to the World Heritage Centre, where it is reviewed and verified. Approved documents are then forwarded to advisory organizations: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). These organisations evaluate the proposal and submit a report to the World Heritage Committee.

The latter makes the final decision on whether to include the site in the World Heritage List.

A site can only be removed from the World Heritage List in extremely rare cases and only after all protection and preservation measures have been exhausted.

Since 1975, this has happened only three times:

• 2007: The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman
• 2009: Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany
• 2021: Liverpool

The removal process involves long political and diplomatic negotiations, as well as expert discussions with all interested parties. The World Heritage Committee expects active citizen participation in protecting world heritage objects.

Sites that are at risk of extinction or being destroyed are placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Inclusion in this list is intended to raise global awareness of the threat, whether natural or human-caused, and to encourage swift action to protect the site.

Inclusion in the List of World Heritage in Danger should be viewed as a specialised support system. The World Heritage Committee, together with the state, prepares a set of measures and a monitoring plan aimed at resolving the current situation. Once the condition of the heritage site improves, the World Heritage Committee returns it from the List of World Heritage in Danger back to the World Heritage List.

Currently, 56 sites are facing extinction threats.

Gaining World Heritage status does not change the legal regulations of the site. This means the heritage will continue to be protected by the same national legislation as before. Heritage is not about prohibitions; it's about creating added value for real estate and territories, unlocking development potential. A unique local identity becomes a favourable environment for tourism development and investment attraction.

Not true. UNESCO does not provide direct funding. It is a unique opportunity to leverage a globally recognised brand and gain international visibility. The aim of the application is not to receive financial support, but to open up new opportunities for the city to create added value and become globally recognized.

Thanks to the unique architecture shaping the city's distinctive identity, the city is already becoming visible and recognisable in Europe. The UNESCO brand is the most recognised in the world and by becoming a World Heritage site, entirely new opportunities for international collaboration emerge.

Strengthening the city’s identity also impacts us personally – when others appreciate us, we begin to feel proud and worthy ourselves.