In Hradec Králové, the renovation of the Art Nouveau building of the museum has begun

Hradec Králové - Builders have recently begun working on the reconstruction of the valuable Art Nouveau building of the East Bohemian Museum in Hradec Králové. The repair of the museum, which is a national cultural monument, will cost nearly 68 million crowns excluding VAT. The construction site was taken over by builders on May 4, and they are currently working on the restoration of the plaster in the basement, for example. The town hall spokesman, Petr Vinklář, said this today. The contractor for the repair is the consortium of companies GEMA ART and Chládek a Tintěra.

The builders are also preparing to relocate the heat transfer station, which had been in the basement of the museum building, providing heat to houses in the adjacent streets. After the reconstruction, the station will be located in the basement of the municipal building in Kotěrova Street, where a kindergarten is situated. The preparation for the restoration of individual elements of the museum has also begun, which will be supervised by conservationists. The actual reconstruction is expected to last 11 months. The museum could open to the public by the end of 2019.

The repair of the museum started with several months of delay because the city had to repeat the tender for the construction company. The first competition was canceled last autumn because the offers from two bidders significantly exceeded the estimated price. The companies' bids were around 90 million crowns. For the new competition, the city set a maximum price of 70 million crowns. Three bids were submitted, one of which arrived after the deadline and was not even opened. Up to 90 percent of the eligible costs will be covered by a European grant.

Builders will repair or replace the original windows, stained glass, and the cladding in which the windows are set. The plaster and brick facade will also be restored, with specialists treating the plaster and stucco, the fountain, ramps, staircases, and sculptures. From the terrace at the dome on the roof of the museum, it will be possible to enjoy a view of part of the city center after the repairs. New exhibition spaces will also be created in the building, part of which will be managed directly by the city, which is the owner of the building and the investor of the repair. The founder of the East Bohemian Museum is the Hradec Králové Region.

The museum building was designed by architect Jan Kotěra and was constructed between 1909 and 1912, and it is one of the most significant buildings in Hradec Králové. The museum was declared a national cultural monument in 1995.