Historical residences in Czechia and Poland as a development indicator

The main aim of this article is the analysis of the possibility of usage of residence data to describe the regional differences between Czechia and Poland, including potential for development of cultural and tourist movement. The analysis of data referring to countries of historical similarities and differences helps to identify the reasons for these dissimilarities and their outcome. The author carries out an analysis of the structure and state of residences and factors influencing it in the past and following World War II period. The key hypothesis is: the main reasons why Czech residences are in better shape, is the fact that the social structure in Czechia was different (aristocratic rather than noble), the level of development was higher and more evenly distributed, the history of World War II and the post-war period (less tragic) was more helpful for their protection and future use in tourism. The main method: literature and statistics review, IDIs and observation. The methods influence sources of information. The key hypothesis (the number and the state of the residences constitute a durable indicator of the level of development of regions) was confirmed.