The city of Mohelnice will repair the valuable house in Kostelní Square

Olomouc - The town of Mohelnice in the Šumperk region will repair one of its valuable monuments - the house on Kostelní náměstí, which is associated with the figure of Dean Kryštof Alois Lautner, who was accused of witchcraft more than 300 years ago. The investment is set to be one of the priorities of 2007, writes today's Šumperský and Jesenický daily.

The council has already decided to prepare project documentation. "The exact use of the building has not yet been decided. However, it is certain that the house will serve the town. Part of the municipal office will likely move to the office spaces on the upper floor, while a representative meeting room is to be created on the ground floor," said Mohelnice Deputy Mayor Pavel Němec. According to him, it is not excluded that the city's police could reside in the second part of the ground floor in the future, along with a monitoring station for security cameras. The city will offer current tenants of the offices alternative spaces in Tyrš and Fügner Square.

    The building is located by the city walls and includes one of the two preserved bastions that serve as a reminder of medieval fortifications in Mohelnice. The basement of the house contains medieval masonry, the ground floor rooms are vaulted with a Prussian vault, and the baroque roof is also interesting.

    On the site of the house once stood a so-called witch's house. After being arrested in Mohelnice, Šumperk Dean Lautner was imprisoned there, who was accused of witchcraft and was burned in the town in 1685. The house once housed a basic art school, and later a restaurant occupied the ground floor, but the entire ground floor has been empty for at least two years.