Findings – The article indicates myriad impacts of tangible and intangible cultural heritage on social
capital. It points to significant potential of heritage in terms of providing places of encounters and
community hubs, sites of social integration and inclusion, functioning as a source of identity and local
pride as well as being a reason for common actions, activities of NGOs and volunteers. Attention is
paid also to the possible negative effects of heritage on social capital.
Practical implications – It seems necessary to include this aspect of heritage impact in policy
making, not only in the field of culture and monument protection but also in other spheres, taking into
account both positive and negative potential of cultural heritage with respect to social capital.