The two-year reconstruction of the basilica in Jablonné v Podještědí is halfway done

Jablonné v Podještědí - The two-year partial reconstruction of the Basilica of St. Lawrence and St. Zdislava, costing around 60 million crowns in Jablonné v Podještědí in the Liberec region, is halfway through. The work, which began last autumn, is proceeding according to plan, according to the dean of the monastery, Pavel Mayer.

"I hope it will be finished by October next year," the dean told ČTK. However, the restoration of the basilica will be several million crowns more expensive due to additional work. One reason is that, at the request of conservationists, some elements inside the basilica must be marbleized. "Which adds a million crowns," the dean said. "The second major item that surprised us is that the originals of five statues intended for the balustrade were supposed to be restored. Currently, there are worn copies there. However, it turned out that the originals are in such poor condition that they cannot be returned," Mayer said. After restoration, the originals will be placed in a suitable location inside the basilica, and it will be necessary to create stone replicas unexpectedly. "In this phase, we can only afford to pay for one additional stone copy," the dean stated. Producing one stone copy will cost about 1.8 million crowns.

The basilica, built on the site of a former Gothic church, was designed by the Austrian architect Jan Lukáš Hildebrandt between 1699 and 1729. Its interior comprises a series of ellipsoids, the highest of which has a 34-meter dome above it. The partial renovation is currently being done as part of a European project costing approximately 60 million crowns, of which around 36 million is earmarked for construction work. According to Mayer, the work is progressing as planned. "It’s going well; soon scaffolding will slowly start to be taken down. Currently, work is being done on painting the lantern and dome, and in the basilica, specifically in the nave, electrical work is taking place. At the same time, selected parts of the furniture are being restored, primarily the benches, both from the choir and from the nave," he added.

The electrical wiring and the floor in the basement are already finished, where a permanent exhibition about Saint Zdislava is planned to be established in the future. This Czech saint, who is the patroness of families, is connected to the region. The basilica is located on the site where there used to be a Gothic church founded in the 13th century by Saint Zdislava herself. The noblewoman lived at the nearby Lemberk Castle, where she married, at about fifteen years old, the Czech nobleman Havel from Markvartice. Zdislava became well-known far and wide for her acts of mercy, philanthropy, and Christian love for her neighbors, as well as her healing skills. She died in 1252.

From European grants, the Dominicans will cover nearly 80 percent of the repair costs, the state will contribute 5.6 million crowns, and the Liberec region will also provide financial support. A collection has also been initiated, as the Dominicans need to raise about seven to eight million crowns for co-financing. "We still do not have that amount together. We gratefully accept donations from people," Mayer added.