The Liberec Region is preparing the reconstruction of the Regional Gallery

Liberec - The Liberec Region is preparing the reconstruction and expansion of the Regional Gallery in Liberec. It plans not only for the renovation of the historical building of the gallery but also for the expansion of exhibition spaces and facilities, and especially for the construction of a modern depository. The estimated costs are preliminarily calculated at 234 million crowns, which the region does not have. Therefore, the project will be divided into several phases, for which the region will seek grants from European funds, said Lidie Vajnerová (SOS), the deputy governor of Liberec, to ČTK today.
    The recently completed architectural historical survey showed that the neo-Renaissance building, constructed between 1871 and 1872 by manufacturer Johann Liebieg, is in a state of disrepair. The building is affected by wood decay and woodworm. "The load-bearing ceiling structure between the second and third floors is also compromised, above which a part of the gallery's valuable archive is located," said Jan Randáček, the director of the gallery, to ČTK. The expert assessment during the survey also included a list of 400 valuable elements, along with an evaluation of whether they can be salvaged.
    The reconstruction of the historic building is estimated to cost 155 million crowns. However, this will not be enough - especially the facilities of the object do not meet the current requirements for exhibiting and storing artworks. The depositories are inadequate, dressing rooms, a gallery shop, classrooms, and dignified toilets for visitors are completely lacking. Furthermore, the gallery is not wheelchair accessible. Addressing all these deficiencies will require nearly another 80 million crowns. Although the priority is the reconstruction of the historic building, the depository will be constructed first due to its lesser complexity, costing approximately 25 million crowns.
    The Liberec Gallery is the fourth largest in the country, with about 20,000 visitors annually. It owns rare collections of Dutch painting from the 16th century and French landscape painting from the 19th century, with a total of 22,000 artistic works. It has been located in the historical building for 60 years, during which it has gone through minimal modifications. Although the building has been altered and repaired several times in its more than 140 years of existence, it has never undergone a complete reconstruction. "The region took over the gallery in 2001 and has been preparing the reconstruction and looking for ways to obtain funding for it since then," added Vajnerová, who oversees heritage care and culture.