Brno will carry out necessary repairs on the dilapidated prison on Cejl

Brno - Brno wants to carry out the most necessary repairs to the dilapidated former prison in Cejl for 5.5 million crowns either in winter or in spring. These will address the leaky roof, parts of the trusses, and the entrance from Bratislavská street, said the mayor's deputy Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno) to reporters today. The restoration work is also approved by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), which demands that the prison be declared a cultural monument. According to the city, which wants to create a Creative Center there, this could significantly complicate and increase the costs of the work to save the building and establish the center.

The former prison has been widely discussed for several days. The NPÚ has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture for the declaration of the monument, which the city has objected to. Therefore, Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO) met today with Hollan and the director of the Brno branch of the heritage institute, Zdeněk Vácha, to clarify the matter. "We mutually convinced ourselves that we are interested in saving the building in a way that we are capable of financing and implementing," Vokřál stated. He added that the city's representatives explained their plan to Vácha to gradually renovate the building so that it would not further deteriorate.

Vácha agreed with the necessary steps that would lead to the rescue of the deteriorating parts of the building. "At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize that we do not consider the planned use to be in any way conflicting," Vácha stated.

He confirmed that his office still insists that the site be declared a cultural monument. "The complex has heritage value and is historically connected with history," he stated. Vokřál said that the decision of the ministry, whether or not to declare the building a monument, is outside the city’s jurisdiction. "However, we were concerned that if it became a monument, the costs for reconstruction would increase. With director Vácha, we agreed to proceed in such a way that we would find the most sensitive and realistic method of reconstruction that would be financially manageable for us," Vokřál added.

According to Hollan, the ministry could decide in a few months. Until then, the most necessary work and a two-month historical construction survey will be carried out. "I am glad that we agreed with the heritage institute on the use of the building for creative and cultural industries. Now it will be necessary to submit a request for European funds in a timely manner; without them, it will not be possible," Hollan said. According to him, the parties will try to reach an agreement so that the work is not against the building, but so that there won’t be a lack of funding for repairs after a potential declaration as a monument.

The prison was established in the 1780s. It began serving its purpose in 1784. The poet Petr Bezruč was held in the prison, and in 1953, Oskar Judex, the mayor of Brno during the occupation, died there. The prison ceased to serve its purpose in 1956, when it was replaced by a new prison in Bohunice.