The crypt under the basilica in Frýdek-Místek is set for renovation according to the design by Marek Štěpán

Frýdek-Místek – The crypt beneath the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Frýdek-Místek could be getting a renovation. It is to be repaired according to a design by Frýdek-Místek native, architect Marek Štěpán, who specializes in sacred buildings. This was announced to reporters today by the spokesperson for the city council, Jana Musálková Jeckelová. The parish is awaiting the announcement of grants.

The crypt will be accessible to the public after the repairs. "Frýdek-Místek is preparing a new attraction for tourists. After years of preparation, a reconstruction of the rare crypt in the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, which houses the remains of priests and nobles from the Pražm family and seven tragically deceased pilgrims who drowned in the swollen Ostravice river in 1750, will take place," the spokesperson said.

According to Štěpán's design, there will be one large space in the underground with new flooring and lighting. The remains will be stored more decorously than before. The plan also includes the repair of the stairs, the installation of a camera system, the creation of a smaller information area, and facilities for guides.

Craftsmen will remove the current structures with glass, behind which the remains are kept, said the assistant to the deanery, Michal Bučko. "Thanks to the reconstruction, the original ventilation system will be restored, ensuring a stable climate. It is certain that the current entrance to the crypt will remain preserved," he added.

Architect Štěpán, according to the spokesperson, has already designed the appearance of the Místek market and the reconstruction of the Boromea building in his hometown, but the work on the crypt is so far the most significant commission in his birthplace. "It means a lot to me when I realize that my ancestors went to the basilica nearly daily, like my great-aunt. I am also touched by the stories of the people who are buried in the crypt. It adds a different depth to the work. I consider it essential that the remains of the founders of the basilica be stored with dignity. I appreciate that someone in the past essentially saved the remains by transferring them, as they were originally in a marshy area. However, I do not consider the current placement in a glass case to be appropriate," Štěpán stated.

The parish has a completed project for the reconstruction of the crypt and is awaiting the announcement of a grant title. If the grant can be obtained, the renovation could start next year. The work is expected to take two years. "I am very pleased that our city is of interest to world architects. After Eva Jiřičná, who prepared a study for the future Cultural Center, Frýdek-Místek is once again associated with an important architect, Marek Štěpán. His studio is a guarantee of high quality, and I believe that future visitors to the crypt can look forward to an extraordinary experience,” said Mayor Petr Korč (Naše Město F-M).