Galerie of the Central Bohemian Region wants to build a guesthouse in its premises

Kutná Hora - The Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region (GASK) wants to build a guesthouse in its premises in the former Jesuit College in Kutná Hora. It is set to have six to seven rooms primarily used for commercial events such as weddings or congresses. However, the gallery could also offer overnight stays to the wider public, said gallery director Jana Šorfová to ČTK.

She pointed out that the gallery has over 4000 square meters of exhibition space available in the Jesuit College, as well as conference halls and other areas used for commercial purposes. According to Šorfová, the capacity of hotels and guesthouses in Kutná Hora is insufficient. The guesthouse is to be created in the premises of a private university of political and social sciences, which went bankrupt and lost its accreditation. "From that space, there will be a guesthouse for our rentals," added Šorfová.

Four years ago, the gallery converted a former stable into a congress center, and it is now preparing a bistro in the gardens for visitors to outdoor events. It is expected to open at the beginning of April. The building, designed by the Kodet Architects studio, will have a capacity of 40 seats and will be divided into a section with indoor seating and a section with an outdoor terrace. The GASK gardens are open year-round to both gallery visitors and the general public. In 2021, an outdoor exhibition was created on the premises, aiming to present art in public spaces. Numerous cultural and social events also take place here. However, there are no refreshments or sanitary facilities in the gardens.

The Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region was visited by over 70,000 people last year. According to Šorfová, the number of visitors increases by about 7,000 each year, and the goal is to reach a hundred thousand visitors. This year, a greater interest in exhibitions is expected due to the UNESCO Connects project, in which the gallery is participating. Dozens of cultural events in Kutná Hora and the surrounding area will this year commemorate the 30th anniversary of the historical core of this city being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors can look forward to exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, lectures, guided tours, video mapping, and film screenings.