Brno will build a lapidary and facilities at Špilberk Castle

Brno - A lapidarium for stone objects will be established at Špilberk Castle in Brno in the coming years, along with professional facilities for the castle and restoration workshops. The total investment is nearly 113 million korunas. Brno has received more than a hundred million koruna grant from the European Union, said Richard Mrázek (ANO), the mayor's deputy, to ČTK today.

The reconstruction will affect the northern annex of the castle and the unused water reservoir. The reservoirs consist of two separate underground spaces that previously served as a drinking water supply for the city. A lapidarium will be created there with stone elements from the collections of the Museum of the City of Brno. New restoration workshops will also be established, including a locksmith's workshop, metal workshop, wood workshop, stone workshop, leather workshop, and paper workshop, as well as storage spaces. The reconstruction of the northern annex will modernize the entrance area to the Špilberk casemates.

According to Mrázek, Brno received a grant for the establishment of the lapidarium and workshops already in the previous programming period. "But we were at the absolute edge of feasibility. Although we almost had a contractor, we ultimately did not complete the tender process. If we had not finished the project by the end of 2015, there was a risk that we would have to return a significant part of the grant," Mrázek said. According to him, the city knew that the ministry would issue a call again.

Špilberk attracts more than 100,000 paying visitors each year. Some of its parts are accessible for free. In recent years, the main part of the castle's repairs, which cost a billion korunas, has been completed after 30 years of work.