In the renovated powder store in Olomouc, a military history museum will be established

Olomouc - The historic gunpowder magazine, which is the oldest and most significant part of the Korunní Fortress area in Olomouc, has undergone roughly three years of reconstruction. The work cost ten million crowns, and in the spring, people will find a museum of the military history of the city inside. According to Markéta Záleská, the director of the civic association Museum of the Olomouc Fortress, this is the first swallow in the gradual revitalization of the entire area, which is meant to serve for relaxation and education.
"The gunpowder magazine dates back to the second half of the 18th century, and the reconstruction was quite demanding. We tried to preserve all the historical elements in the building," stated Záleská.
The gunpowder magazine will be open only occasionally for now, with a temporary exhibition inside. The association will collaborate with the Regional Museum in Olomouc on the final version. "We can already show archaeological finds from the site, including military seals, buttons, bullets, weapon casings, and parts of weapons," said historian Ján Kadlec.
The construction of utility networks has also been completed, and work on the restoration of the walls continues. Other buildings are awaiting renovations.
"We sold the largest artillery storage facility to Palacký University for a symbolic crown. A major reconstruction is set to begin here in January, which will result in the establishment of a popular science center called Fortress of Knowledge," said Záleská. The university obtained a grant of 150 million crowns for the project.
The civic association is also trying to secure funding for the construction of an amphitheater for social and cultural events. They have applied for a grant from the State Environmental Fund for the revitalization of part of the green space and are preparing to apply for so-called Norwegian funds for the renovation of a dilapidated guardhouse, which will host an information center.
A large model of Olomouc is being created, which will depict the city as it was in 1757. So far, people can see a part of it in plaster casts; the final piece will be made of bronze.
To complete the reconstruction of the entire area, approximately 100 million crowns will likely be needed, and the work will last at least three to four more years.
The construction of the Korunní Fortress began in 1754 during the fortification of Olomouc. After the abolition of the Olomouc Fortress, the building served the army and was definitively closed to the public after 1945. At the end of the 20th century, the army handed over the area to the city, which rented it to a construction company. In February 2008, the city sold the Korunní Fortress to the civic association Museum of the Olomouc Fortress, which began its restoration.