Brno today opened the former penitentiary on Cejl to the public after renovations

Brno - Today, Brno, on the occasion of European Culture Days, opened to the public the former prison on Cejl Street for the first time after completion of restoration works. Visitors were offered guided tours and a vernissage of photographs by Libor Teplý, who photographed the prison from 2012 to 2014. About 250 people attended the opening, said Tereza Chrástová, coordinator of the Creative Center project that is to be established in the prison. The mayor's deputy, Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno), told ČTK that the city will make part of the former prison accessible to the public through cultural and commemorative events.

The prison has been unused for many years and is deteriorating. This year, the city invested over five million crowns into necessary repairs, which primarily included work on the trusses and roof, aiming to prevent leaks and further decay. Brno intends to build a Creative Center for artists' gatherings in the building for hundreds of millions of crowns, but the process of designating the building as a cultural monument is causing delays.

According to Hollan, the city has previously organized several events in the prison. "There has been interest in it. The spaces are beautiful for theaters, exhibitions, and similar activities. Now we will regularly make part of the prison accessible for various events from theaters, exhibitions, fairs to commemorative events and tours," said Hollan.

However, he noted that not everything will be accessible. "The prison remains in an emergency state. It will be possible to go to the execution chamber, the baroque chapel, or the former workhouse, as well as to the first courtyard. There will often be events happening there," Hollan added.

The National Heritage Institute is demanding the designation of the prison as a cultural monument. The Ministry of Culture has declared the building a cultural monument, but the city has filed an appeal against this. While it agrees with the monument designation, the city management believes it is necessary to specify the extent of the monument protection so that it does not restrict the use of the building for the Creative Center. Issues such as the protection of the trusses and related access to the attic, as well as access from Bratislavská Street, will need to be addressed.

The prison on Cejl was established in the 18th century. It served its purpose from 1784 to 1956, when it was replaced by a new prison in Bohunice.