The Heritage Institute rewarded the owners of monuments with a new price

Prague/Nebílovy (Plzeň region) - The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) today awarded four exemplary initiatives in heritage care, giving the new Patrimonium pro futuro (Heritage for the Future) prize to their actors, especially the owners of monuments. The award went to the renovation of the Church of St. Catherine in Křižovatka in the Cheb region, the discovery of the system of drainage from the Jordán pond in Tábor, the Omnium association for popularizing Baroque churches in the Broumov region, and the preservation of the inventory in Čapkova Villa in Prague. In memoriam, the prize was awarded to the prominent Czech archaeologist Tomáš Durdík.
    The awards were presented at the castle in Nebílovech. NPÚ Director Naďa Goryczková decided to grant two special awards from the 26 nominated, one of which goes to Nebílovy. It recognizes the unique rescue of the paintings by Antonín Tuvora on the ceiling and walls of the ballroom, primarily thanks to restorer Karine Artouniová. The second special prize goes to Vladimír Moškoř for the renovation of the castle in Červená Řečice.
    "The funding for the restoration of the hall was sought for 43 years. It’s a crazy period, but it was found - the 650 pieces of ceiling painting, which were removed in 1968, have been rehabilitated, reconstructed, restored, and subsequently transferred to the ceiling on a false wooden vault," said Milan Fiala, the custodian of Nebílovy Castle. There are 450 m² of restored rich paintings on the ceiling and walls. The renovated ballroom has become a tourist attraction, and thanks to it, the castle has increased its visitor numbers. Last year, around 5,000 visitors came, and this year it’s doubled, Fiala added.
    The new award is intended for owners of monuments and others who are engaged in caring for cultural heritage. Categories include monument restoration, discovery or find of the year, exhibition or publication, and cultural heritage rescue. "The goal is to draw attention to the demanding care of cultural heritage and highlight the work of those involved in preserving monuments," Goryczková told reporters. She added that NPÚ wants to help monument owners and contribute to raising awareness that caring for cultural heritage is meaningful. She particularly emphasized the efforts of non-profit associations that often participate in the rescue and restoration of monuments.
    Regional NPÚ offices nominated the initiatives. In the monument restoration category, the village of Křižovatka received the award for the rescue of the Church of St. Catherine, which has early Gothic foundations. The church was acquired from the church in 2009, a decision made by residents in a referendum. "It was in such a deplorable state that its destruction was imminent. For us, it was a gift and a curse. The main nave was collapsed, you could see the sky, there was no ceiling, and the tower was leaning away from the nave," said Mayor Jan Strachota to ČTK. The village with 250 residents and a two-million-crown annual budget had to gradually raise ten million crowns in subsidies for repairs, of which nearly two million came from its own funds. The monument was rescued and continues to thrive - concerts, cultural events, and weddings are held there. The church can be used as a place for final farewells. "We plan to establish a male choir of about twenty members, and it will be our rehearsal space," the mayor plans.
    In the discovery of the year category, the award went to the discovery of historical drainage systems in the dam of the Jordán pond in Tábor, uncovered during a rescue archaeological survey. The oldest parts of the wooden structures date back to the late 15th century. The discovery is interesting not only because it wasn't primarily a fish pond but a reservoir of utility water for the medieval town. "The award highlights that technical devices are an important but often overlooked part of cultural heritage," said Martin Tomášek, NPÚ's deputy for heritage care.
    The association Omnium was also awarded for its activities to rescue the set of Baroque churches in the Broumov region created by Kryštof and Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, as well as to the Prague 10 city hall, which according to NPÚ saved part of the twin villa of the Čapek brothers by purchasing it, thereby allowing the preservation of its particularly valuable inventory.