Klatovy is preparing a reconstruction of the former Jesuit seminary for hundreds of millions of CZK

Klatovy - Klatovy is preparing a reconstruction of the former Jesuit seminary near the square, known locally as "soda factory". The construction, costing several hundred million crowns, will conclude the restoration of the entire Jesuit complex, which is a cultural monument. It is owned by the city. Today marked the deadline for the architectural competition. 18 teams expressed interest, from which the commission selected eight proposals to evaluate by November 30, said today Václav Chroust (ODS), the city's deputy mayor, to ČTK.

"On November 30, the envelopes will be opened, and I believe we will assess all the bids by December 1. It is an anonymous competition with a designated commission led by the excellent Prague architect Pavla Melková," he said. According to Chroust, there is immense interest in the competition. "We invited three prominent architects, including Mr. Pleskot, to apply for the competition. A total of 18 architectural teams expressed interest, and from the submitted proposals, the commission selected eight to request bid submissions, which will be evaluated on November 30," he added.

The seminary is set for a complete reconstruction. "There will be spaces for the Klatovy - Klenová Gallery, event halls for lectures, concerts, and more. There will also be a business area, such as shared coworking offices," stated Chroust. The city's monument management, a bistro, and related park areas will also be located there. The renovated seminary will be integrated into the life of Klatovy, just like the renovated adjacent Jesuit college, which serves cultural and social events. "And we want to utilize the fact that there are catacombs within 100 meters, which attract over 40,000 visitors annually. We believe that a portion of them will visit the exhibits of the seminary," Chroust said.

The three-story building is extensive, measuring 22,000 cubic meters, according to the deputy mayor. It also includes a former chapel that was devastated during the past regime by being partitioned, resulting in two ceilings within it. "It will be restored, along with the interesting cellars," noted the deputy mayor. The structure is considered very interesting due to its layout. "Visitors from the upper floor will have several different views of the city and the Šumava panorama," he stated.

The seminary has been closed and deteriorating but is secured and monitored by cameras. In the 19th century, it served as housing, then a brewery, and a soda factory; in the mid-19th century, it housed the Klatovy theater and a cinema. Most recently, it contained apartments that are no longer adequate due to the large hallways and high ceilings. The Jesuits left in 1773, and the city then took over the building.

The costs of the reconstruction will be specified by architects in their proposals. "I believe it will be up to 300 million crowns," added the deputy mayor. The city will try to obtain grants. In the budget for 2024, Klatovy will allocate money for the project, which is intended to be completed next year, including obtaining a valid building permit. "So that we could, if everything goes optimally, start the reconstruction in 2025," he added.

The high baroque three-winged building dates back to the first half of the 18th century, with a city wall running through the courtyard. As part of the Jesuit complex, it was the center of baroque cultural and social life. It has been a monument since 1958 and part of the heritage zone since 1992.