The complete renovation of the Governor's Palace in Brno would cost a billion

Brno - The total reconstruction of the valuable Governors' Palace in the center of Brno and its adaptation for broader use would cost more than a billion crowns. Moravian Gallery employees calculated this, which uses the main part of this significant monument for its permanent and temporary exhibitions. Necessary repairs will likely be spread over several years. The gallery is now starting to look for funding sources and potential partners with whom it could use the palace. This was stated to ČTK by the gallery spokesperson Lenka Němcová.
    The billion-crown figure includes the cost of alternative premises for the branch of the cadastral office and the surveying inspectorate, which currently operates in part of the building. However, according to the gallery staff, this is not a suitable use. They would prefer an institution related to culture or education to work in the part of the complex that the gallery does not need.
    The monument urgently needs repairs. Problems are caused by dampness in the ground floor, as well as peeling facades. The gallery points out that the current state does not meet the needs of an art museum, nor the developmental potential of Moravské náměstí and its surroundings. "We start from the idea that the ultimate goal is the revitalization of the Governors' Palace as a whole in connection with the revitalization of the expanded city center and the use of the palace by citizens with various needs and interests," said Němcová.
    As potential partners for utilizing the palace, the gallery will reach out to Masaryk University, the Moravian Museum, and the National Heritage Institute. "At the same time, we must identify suitable commercial activities that would help ensure the sustainability of such a project," the spokesperson stated.
    In addition to the state, which is the founder of the Moravian Gallery, the European Union could also contribute to the gradual repairs. The gallery will likely attempt to obtain funding from structural funds. It also hopes that the Brno city council will take a positive stance towards the project. The city leadership announced some time ago that it is preparing a reconstruction of the area in front of the palace, which is currently used for parking. The area will be adorned with greenery and sculptures.
    According to Němcová, the first phase of the reconstruction of the Governors' Palace could start as early as next year and be completed around 2012. The palace is adjacent to the Church of St. Thomas and together they form the main landmark of Moravské náměstí. In addition to the permanent collection of old art, there are halls for current exhibitions, a concert hall for 150 people, a café, and a museum shop. In the summer, rock and jazz concerts are held in the courtyard.
    There was an Augustinian monastery at the site of the palace since the Middle Ages. The building gained its current appearance mainly due to the Baroque reconstruction in the 18th century. After the expulsion of the Augustinians, the palace was used by new state, regional, and estate offices. It served as the seat of offices and the regional president even after 1918. From 1955 to 1989, the building housed the Museum of the Workers' Movement of Brno. "The Governors' Palace has undergone several construction modifications, but it has never been completely reconstructed," recently said Marek Pokorný, the director of the Moravian Gallery, to ČTK.