A research center will be established at the restored Holy Mountain in Příbram

Příbram - A research center focused on baroque culture with a music archive will be established at Svatá Hora in Příbram. This is part of a plan for an extensive reconstruction of this national cultural monument. A total of 191.1 million crowns is to be invested in the restoration of the pilgrimage site. Of that amount, 162.5 million crowns will be covered by structural funds and the remainder by the state budget. Work is set to begin in the first half of next year, Veronika Vároši from the communication department of the Ministry for Regional Development told ČTK today.
The main aim of the project is the construction and restoration renewal and new use of the area for cultural and educational services. "The project will serve as a model project for the restoration and utilization of monuments. The approaches and methods used will be applicable to monuments of a similar character throughout the Czech Republic," said Minister for Regional Development Karla Šlechtová in a press release.
The newly reconstructed spaces will serve spiritual activities and a permanent exhibition. They will also be adapted for organizing short-term themed exhibitions, cultural events for a wide range of visitors, and educational events for primary and secondary school students.
Příbram's Svatá Hora is the most significant and oldest Marian pilgrimage site in Bohemia. The statue of the Virgin Mary with Jesus created by Archbishop Arnošt of Pardubice according to church tradition in the mid-14th century. In the 16th century, it was transferred to the chapel at Svatá Hora and soon processions began to flow to it. In 1632, a blind person reportedly regained sight through it. Fifteen years later, the Jesuits took over the area, who in 1732 advocated for the coronation of the statue, which was one of the most significant rights awarded by the papal commission. In 1861, the administration of Svatá Hora was taken over by the Redemptorists, who served there until 1950. They returned again in 1990.