The city of Jičín and the region will put about 90 million crowns into the renovation of the Valdštejn Castle

Jičín - The city of Jičín and the Hradec Králové region plan to invest approximately 90 million crowns into the reconstruction of the Valdštejn Castle by 2026. The largest part, nearly 70 million crowns, will be allocated for the reconstruction of museum spaces, the acquisition of a new exhibition, and the construction of barrier-free access to the castle. The planned reconstruction of the ceremonial hall at Valdštejn Castle is expected to cost more than 22 million crowns, city representatives told ČTK today.

The reconstruction of the spaces occupied by the regional museum and gallery, and the construction of an elevator and barrier-free access, is a joint investment by the region and the city, which owns the castle. The city will cover about three-fifths of the almost 50 million crown costs. Builders from BFK service will start construction in the coming days.

After the construction reconstruction, which will also include heating and other network installations, the museum will receive a new interactive exhibition. "The exhibition is expected to cost around 20 million crowns and will be funded by the region," said Jičín Deputy Mayor Jan Hamáček (KDU-ČSL). The exhibition is expected to open to the public in 2026.

The city itself plans to reconstruct the ceremonial hall this year. "We are currently preparing a selection procedure for a construction company for the ceremonial hall. We want to start this year," said Deputy Mayor Alena Stillerová (ANO). The interior of the ceremonial hall, where weddings and other social and representative events take place, is 50 years old. The facilities of the hall are inadequate, the building is not fully barrier-free, and there are issues with rising humidity.

If the renovation of the ceremonial hall begins this year, both constructions at the castle will run concurrently this year and in 2025. The museum exhibition has been closed since last October. The gallery of moving images Rumcajsův svět by Radek Pilar is also out of service. The city expects to close the ceremonial hall starting in June.

Other institutions located in the castle will need to prepare for construction noise. The operation of the elementary art school located in the castle will be most affected. "The school will have to manage without three to five classrooms during the reconstruction," Hamáček said. It will also have to deal with noise and dust from the construction.

The city began gradual repairs on the castle in 2017. Until then, only emergency situations were addressed, and the last significant reconstruction of the castle took place in the 1960s. In 2019, the city completed a renovation of the city information center's spaces at a cost of 17 million crowns, and construction modifications also affected non-residential spaces on the ground floor of the castle. Builders also adjusted two rooms on the first floor of the castle for educational and social events. In 2017, the city started a gradual replacement and repair of the castle windows.

Jičín Castle was built after 1608 and burned down 12 years later after an explosion of gunpowder. Under Albrecht von Wallenstein, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1633.