crematorium in Pardubice was visited by hundreds of people today

The Cremator (1968; directed by Juraj Herz)

Pardubice - Once a year, the crematorium in Pardubice opens its doors, including the cremation rooms that are usually off-limits to the public. Hundreds of interested visitors viewed the national cultural monument today on All Souls' Day. The guides led them to the old furnaces where the film The Cremator was once shot.
    "People mainly ask how the cremation process works; they don't have much of an idea about it. A lot of people think that cremation is done without a coffin or in mass. At least they find out that this is not true. This topic used to be taboo," said the officiant Roman Vodvářka to ČTK.
    The building designed by architect Pavel Janák is celebrating 90 years since its inauguration this year. The crematorium, in the rondocubism style, is among the gems of Pardubice's architecture. This style was created by Janák and architect Josef Gočár. They utilized stylized ornaments from Czech and Moravian folklore.
    The interior features wooden elements of rural architecture, carved railings of the singing tribune, and painted wooden ceilings. The main ceremonial hall, decorated with plant ornaments, was once complemented by the inscription "I live, and you will live."
    "We are considering returning this inscription after the restoration of the murals," said the funeral service secretary Soňa Lipavská to ČTK.
    Visitors today viewed the cremation facilities that are no longer used and where Juraj Herz's film The Cremator with Rudolf Hrušínský in the lead role was shot. They also saw more modern furnaces located in an annex from the mid-90s.
    "The presentation was really very interesting. For example, I wanted to know how the mechanism of lowering the coffin into the basement to the furnaces works," said visitor Tomáš Kouřil from Pardubice to ČTK.
    The monument underwent reconstruction, including a façade restoration completed in 2009. Repairs cost 20 million crowns. Annually, about 3,500 people are cremated at the crematorium, not only from the Pardubice region. There are 27 crematoria in the Czech Republic, and the Pardubice crematorium was established during the First Republic as the third in line.
    "In Slovakia, there are only two crematoria. Church services prevail there; people are more religious," added Vodvářka.