Uherské Hradiště plans to build a natural amphitheater in the Rochus open-air museum this year

Uherské Hradiště - Uherské Hradiště wants to build a natural amphitheater this year in Rochus Park. It will serve for organizing cultural events for the public. The planned work includes landscaping, the construction of seating and a stage, the building of service access, the installation of lighting, or landscaping adjustments. The work in the natural and cultural-historical area will require total costs exceeding 10.7 million crowns, said Jan Pášma, spokesperson for the Uherské Hradiště city hall, in today's press release. Funding from the Interreg V-A Slovakia – Czech Republic program is expected to amount to 6.7 million crowns, said Deputy Mayor Marcela Čechová (ANO).

Construction is set to begin in March and be completed in the summer. The amphitheater will be partially natural, and visitors will, according to the deputy mayor, sit on a grassy area. "In part of the seating area, mobile wooden benches will be used for sitting, which will be stored in the nearby Park Rochus building. The expected capacity of the amphitheater will be about 400 seats," Čechová stated.

Cultural events in Rochus Park have so far taken place in improvised spaces near museum exhibits. "A central space allowing for performances within cultural programs with an adequate audience is lacking. The implemented project aims to eliminate this deficiency," added the deputy mayor.

Uherské Hradiště is collaborating on the project with the Slovak town of Púchov, which is striving to restore its amphitheater in the Lachovec forest park. The goal of the collaboration is to enhance the attractiveness of the natural and cultural heritage of the border regions. The project will also include subsequent cultural and social activities in both areas. A marketing package will also be created to promote similar tourist destinations along the route connecting the two towns.

The former training ground on Rochus Hill began to be revitalized by the Uherské Hradiště city hall in 2010, when traditional Slovácko varieties were planted here. A year earlier, the city repaired the chapel of St. Roch, followed by the infrastructure and other facilities. Rochus Park has been open to visitors since 2016. The area offers exhibitions of traditional folk architecture from various periods, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century.