In Broumov, the repair of part of the monastery for an educational center is nearing completion

Broumov - Builders in Broumov, located in the Náchod region, are finishing work on the renovation of part of the local monastery, where the Broumov Educational and Cultural Center is set to begin operations. The construction work is scheduled to be completed by the end of November this year, with a total project value of 250 million crowns. Libuše Růčková, the project coordinator, told ČTK.
    "So far, nothing extraordinary has occurred from which we could infer that the construction will not be completed by the end of November," Růčková stated. All rough construction work inside the monastery has already been completed. "Work in the monastery garden is continuing with greater intensity, which started several months later," Růčková said.
    The monastery manager, Přemysl Sochor, mentioned that the ongoing construction works represent the largest investment in the Broumov monastery in more than a hundred years. "After the devastation of the building during the communist regime, including the destruction and theft of furnishings, this investment means the restoration of the most damaged parts of the monastery," he stated.
    The repairs concern approximately one-fifth of the monastery building and the monastery garden, including the buildings located within it. The renovated spaces will include classrooms and exhibition halls. Programs will be provided by the Agency for the Development of Broumovsko. "Some programs are already running; the agency is currently using the drawing room, and after the renovation is completed, there will be many more activities," Růčková said.
    The Broumov monastery is accessible to visitors even during the renovations. The tour route offers a visit to the monastery library, the refectory, and the Church of St. Wojciech. "In the monastery library, there is scaffolding from which restorers are repairing one of the frescoes; otherwise, visitors pass through areas that have not been affected by any work," Růčková said. However, the monastery garden is closed due to the reconstruction.
    A draw for tourists is a copy of the so-called Turin Shroud, in which Christ was wrapped when he was taken down from the cross. The copy, dated 1651, was discovered in the monastery church in 1999. The monastery also houses the so-called mummies from Vamberk.