The new director of the Museum of the City of Brno would like a cable car to Špilberk

Brno – The new director of the Museum of the City of Brno, Zbyněk Šolc, plans to transform Špilberk Castle into a more vibrant place that tourists and Brno residents will enjoy returning to for culture, entertainment, and good food. He also aims to improve the castle's accessibility. Public transport does not reach Špilberk, and people must hike up a steep hill. "For me, an ideal solution would be a cable car," Šolc said in an interview with ČTK.

In mid-summer, Šolc replaced the long-time director Pavla Cipriana, who did not defend his position in the selection process. The city-established museum, besides Špilberk Castle, also oversees the Tugendhat Villa, the Měnín Gate, and the Arnold Villa.

The idea of a cable car to Špilberk is not new; the inspiration comes from Prague's Petřín and other European cities. According to Šolc, the cable car could run from Husova Street along the historical path of an old access road to Špilberk. He believes that the interventions in the terrain would be minimal. The cable car would serve not only tourists but also Brno residents who, especially in summer, head to the castle for concerts, theater performances, and other events. Šolc intends to further develop the cultural offerings at the castle and broaden the range of services available.

As a new feature, the castle will soon offer a guided tour that will take visitors not only to the casemates but also to other places in Špilberk, which was founded in the Middle Ages by Přemysl Otakar II. and later underwent a series of reconstructions. According to Šolc, the exhibitions prepared by the Museum of the City of Brno should target a wider audience, not just experts, and utilize modern museum technologies and approaches.

Špilberk Castle is currently, according to him, in the best structural condition it has been in for decades. During the tenure of the previous director Cipriana, the museum gradually coordinated repairs costing hundreds of millions of crowns. Only minor details remain, Šolc stated. However, as director, he will not avoid construction activities. The museum plans repairs on two other properties under its management, namely the Měnín Gate in the center of Brno and the Arnold Villa in the Černá Pole district.

The Měnín Gate has been closed for a long time due to its poor technical condition. There used to be a permanent exhibition of historical toys there. However, Šolc reminded that it is the last part of Brno's fortifications, and after repairs, the exhibition there should map the history of fortification and the significance of the destruction of the walls for Brno's urban development. The Arnold Villa will house a Center for Dialogue focused on the history and architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Tugendhat Villa, the only Czech monument of modern architecture listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, has already been reconstructed. It belongs to sought-after tourist destinations, but accessing it is not easy. Tours for small groups are usually booked well in advance. According to Šolc, the limits on visitor numbers are dictated by the size of the building and its heritage protection; nevertheless, he wants to make the villa more accessible during various smaller events. For instance, during a recent museum night, interested visitors were allowed into the garden, from where they could watch the fireworks.

"I hope we can open the villa more – of course, with regard to its protection," Šolc said, who in recent years served as the deputy mayor of Královo Pole for ODS and also led the National Center for Theater and Dance in Valtice in the Břeclav region. The Brno City Council appointed him as the museum's director in accordance with the proposal of the selection committee.