Rola zabytków w gospodarce – wybrane zagadnienia

The role of cultural heritage in market economy has got a dual character and cannot be restricted to its historic, artistic or scientific value. On the one hand, cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artefacts which are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations and therefore they build the sense of national pride and have social functions. On the other hand, they can be recognized as market products which support economic development of regions and countries influencing sectors of economy, such as: tourism and investments. Historic artefacts as an element of tangible infrastructure influence an economic development. They can be defined as material resources which are characterised by special features and potential of economic growth. The main objective of the article is to present the role of cultural heritage in country’s economy. This role cannot be limited to its tourist attractiveness. The article is divided into three parts. The first one defines the cultural heritage from various perspectives. The second one addresses the theoretical issues of the problem. Based on the literature review, it presents a role the cultural heritage can play in the economy. The last part comprises examples, both from Poland and abroad, how the cultural heritage can influence the economy, in three perspectives: economic growth, tourism and employment. Translated by Katarzyna Kubiszewska