MMR has announced the first two grant calls for the restoration of Terezín and Josefov

Prague - The Ministry for Regional Development (MMR) has announced the first two calls for the restoration of the deteriorating fortress towns of Terezín and Josefov. In total, the office plans to allocate 1.2 billion crowns over a ten-year period for the repair and finding new use for both sites. The amount will be divided equally between the two fortress towns, with the first calls announced for utilization within two years. MMR informed about this today in a press release published on its website. The submission of applications will start on August 1 and end on December 31 of this year.

The so-called System Program for the Restoration and Development of the Fortress Towns of Terezín and Josefov is focused on the repair and maintenance of historical buildings in both fortress towns and related outdoor areas. It will also be possible to finance the necessary project documentation and strategic development plans for the areas, emphasizing their future use. Some of the funds will be used for the activities of special units dedicated to the restoration and development of both fortresses.

"We decided to address a problem that, due to the inaction of our predecessors, almost resulted in irreversible damage. The basic parameters of the program were approved by the government in mid-February, and by the end of May, the entire program was prepared and approved by the government. And already in June, we announced the first calls. Effective rescue of the fortress towns requires such speed,” said Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization and Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates).

Grants can be provided up to 70 percent of the total eligible expenses of the project, while up to 30 percent of the applicant's own funding can include finances from the budgets of the applicant and the region. Eligible applicants for grants are the towns of Terezín or Jaroměř, their contributory organizations, the relevant region, namely Ústí for Terezín and Hradec Králové for Josefov, and the contributory organizations of that region. Funds from the Ministry of Culture's emergency program will also be used for the repair of some buildings.

Each year, 120 million crowns should be allocated from the total financial support for the restoration of both sites. According to a government decision from last September, an additional 1.73 billion will go from the emergency fund of the Ministry of Culture and the budgets of regions and cities over five years for the rescue of the most deteriorating structures. Culture Minister Martin Baxa (ODS) previously stated that out of the 1.73 billion crowns, 1.4 billion crowns will come from the state budget, with additional funds coming from the regions and cities. Resources from the Ministry of Culture's emergency fund are intended to stop the destruction of six cultural monuments in both areas.

The fortress towns of Terezín and Josefov were built in the 18th century by Emperor Joseph II as a defense against incursions from Prussia. They consisted of complexes with extensive underground facilities as well as a complex above ground that served for housing troops and conducting battles. At the time, they represented a top-notch defense system that, however, was never put to the test in battle, as enemies avoided it. During World War II, Terezín became a symbol of persecution and genocide when the German Nazis established a Gestapo prison and a Jewish ghetto there.