Kroměříž will contribute 1.15 million crowns for the restoration of the Podzámecká Garden

Kroměříž – The Kroměříž Town Hall will contribute 1.15 million crowns towards the renewal of the Podzámecká Garden. The grant, requested by the Administration of the Archbishop's Castle and Gardens in Kroměříž, was approved by the city's council at today's meeting. 15 out of 22 present councilors voted in favor. Both the castle and the adjacent Podzámecká Garden are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, managed by the Olomouc Archbishopric.

The funds will be used for the first phase of a mycological survey, which aims to ensure the operational safety of the garden. Furthermore, the management of the castle and gardens will use the funds for the first phase of repairs of pathways, the purchase and repair of benches and trash bins, restoration of the mill stream, and equipment for maintaining the park area.

"We have a UNESCO site, we present ourselves with the castle, we have it on our calendar. There should be some form of cooperation (with the archbishopric) established," said mayor Jaroslav Němec (Independents). He added that maintaining the garden costs 12 million crowns annually. According to Deputy Mayor Vratislav Krejčíř (Pirates), the Podzámecká Garden, which serves as the largest park in Kroměříž, is mainly visited by the city's residents.

On the other hand, opposition councilor Richard Kreml (Greens, elected for Healthy Kroměříž) criticized the grant. "I don't think we should spend city money in this direction," said Kreml. According to him, the city's money should be used for investments in municipal property.

In the Podzámecká Garden and castle, a five-year renovation project costing approximately 250 million crowns is ongoing, of which 226 million will be covered by a European grant. It is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Craftsmen are finishing the restoration of the water system in the garden. Since this January, they have also been repairing the roof of the castle. Last year, modifications began on the castle gallery, which is now closed, as well as on the neighboring Mill Gate. An exhibition dedicated to the episcopal guard will be created there. Restoration work is also being done on the castle interiors, including the famous Assembly Hall.

The Adminstration of the Archbishop's Castle and Podzámecká Garden in Kroměříž was taken over last year by the Olomouc Archbishopric, as the Catholic Church regained it in restitution. Before that, the operation of both monuments was managed by the National Heritage Institute. During the previous season, which was affected by the coronavirus, the castle was visited by approximately 58,000 people, compared to around 70,000 the year before. The Podzámecká Garden is freely accessible.