The social protection of historic monuments in Poland dates back to the beginnings of the 19th century. An important role in the protection of Polish monuments was played by the Society of the Preservation of Historic Monuments, the Society of History and Monuments of Cracow, the Polish Tatra Society (PTT) and the Polish Tourist Society (PTK). The PTTK, which formed from the merger of the latter two groups, supports work with these objectives: 1) maintaining the object under their protection in a proper condition, 2) looking after a proper management of the object, and 3) education. The protectors are concerned mainly with less known structures that are in poor condition, yet are of historical and cultural importance. Members also prepare inventories or simplified registers, draw maps, and engage in photographic documen-tation. The PTTK commissions coordinate the individual activity with the work of other groups. Activity is stressed which fulfils the tasks envisaged in the Law on the Protection of Monuments and Museums (February 1962).