Jičín plans to expand the reconstruction of the Valdštejn Castle to include the restoration of the gallery

Jičín - The city of Jičín intends to expand the recently started reconstruction of Valdštejn Castle to include the renovation of the gallery exhibition hall. The repair costs could reach millions of crowns and may begin in 2025. This was stated by Deputy Mayor Alena Stillerová (ANO) to ČTK. Builders have been repairing the museum spaces at the castle since January, and the overall restoration of the castle from the early 17th century is expected to cost approximately 100 million crowns.

The gallery is located in one wing of the castle along with the ceremony hall, sharing a common entrance. The renovation of the ceremony hall was decided earlier by Jičín, and it is set to take place between 2024 and 2025. "The castle gallery and the ceremony hall are adjacent and share common utilities. Its renovation makes sense and could start in 2025," stated the deputy mayor. The gallery is expected to receive a new floor, lighting, and electrical installation.

For the renovation of the ceremony hall, the city is preparing to announce a tender for a construction company. The repair of the hall could begin this autumn and last until the end of 2025. The interior of the ceremony hall, where weddings and other social and representative events take place, is 50 years old. The hall's facilities are inadequate, the building is not fully accessible, and rising humidity is also a problem.

The estimated costs for the repair of the ceremony hall have recently been increased by three million crowns to 26 million crowns. The three-million increase is intended as a reserve in case the renovation of the ceremony hall proves to be more demanding than anticipated. The city does not rule out the possibility that uncovering utilities will necessitate replacing the heating system, reconstructing the ventilation system, or electrical wiring. Archaeological finds are also not excluded. "Additional work would impact not only the cost but also the deadline for completion," stated Stillerová.

The main investment at the castle is the renovation of museum spaces, the acquisition of a new exhibition, and the construction of barrier-free access to the castle for about 70 million crowns. The Hradec Králové Region, which has its Regional Museum and Gallery located in the castle, is participating in the investment. Of the nearly 50 million crowns in construction costs, the city will cover about three-fifths. The new exhibition is expected to cost around 20 million crowns and will be funded by the region.

The museum exhibition has been closed since last October. The exhibition of moving pictures, Rumcajs's World, is also out of operation. The gallery is expected to cease operations this September, and during the renovation of the ceremony hall, it will also serve as storage. The city anticipates closing the ceremony hall starting in September. The renovation will also affect the operations of the elementary art school located in the castle, which will have to manage without three to five classes.

The city began gradual repairs of the baroque castle in 2017. Until then, only emergency issues were addressed at the castle, and the last significant renovation occurred in the 1960s. In 2019, the city completed the renovation of the information center, non-residential spaces on the ground floor, and two rooms on the first floor for educational and social events at a cost of 17 million crowns. In 2017, the city began the gradual replacement and repair of the castle windows.