In Valašské Meziříčí, the reconstruction of the Kinski Castle has begun

Valašské Meziříčí – The reconstruction of the Kinski Castle, managed by the Museum of the Valašsko Region, began today in Valašské Meziříčí in the Vsetín area. A new exhibition and depositories will also be created in the castle. The investment will require 117 million crowns, said museum director Tomáš Vitásek to reporters today.

"The construction work is expected to be completed around February 2021, then the exhibition will be installed, and the educational spaces and areas for exhibition activities will be finished. The castle will open to the public in September 2021," stated the director.

The investment will be covered by 62 percent from a European grant, the Zlín Region as the founder of the museum will contribute 40 million crowns, and the museum itself will provide four million crowns. The castle closed to the public already in January of this year, after which it was cleared out and the collections and all equipment were moved, currently stored in the village of Zašová.

A complete reconstruction of the building is planned. Among the most important parts will be the dehumidification of the building. "We will be inserting insulation, creating a drainage system, and ventilation ducts will be installed on the ground floor to help the historic building combat humidity as it most degrades the masonry," said Jan Marek, the deputy director and head of the operations department, to ČTK today.

Plans also include the reconstruction of the electrical installations, security and camera systems, and a fire system. An elevator will be built, and the floor's static load will also be increased. "We will be relocating the depositories to the first floor to better protect the collections, new depository spaces will be created in the attic," said Marek. The reception will also be new. Damaged areas of the facade will be repaired, and a unifying coating will be applied.

The existing permanent exhibitions focused on the glass and tapestry production in Valašské Meziříčí will be replaced by a new exhibition. It will address the impact of humans on the landscape and the landscape on humans from prehistoric times to the near future.

"I believe that the construction of new exhibition and educational halls, the reconstruction of visitor areas considering the needs of less mobile individuals, and the creation of new visitor facilities including an entrance hall, cloakroom, and toilets will all contribute to increasing the comfort of people," said regional councilor Miroslav Kašný (KDU-ČSL).