Moravian-Silesian Region will support the restoration of historical blast furnaces

The Moravian-Silesian Region will participate in the restoration of the industrial national cultural monument from the European Heritage ensemble in the Lower Vítkovice area in Ostrava. Today, the governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Jaroslav Palas, signed a partnership agreement with the interest association of legal entities Lower Vítkovice, which is the bearer of the extensive plan for the restoration of the historic site of blast furnaces and related technical monuments.

“The aim is to assist with the implementation of the project for the accessibility and new use of the national cultural monument Vítkovice. This, among other things, means that we will be involved in ensuring marketing promotion, guiding services, preparing visitor routes, and also connecting the Hlubina Mine and the Vítkovice complex,” stated Governor Jaroslav Palas after signing the document.
According to him, the Moravian-Silesian Region will also participate in the preparation of documentation for the application for subsidies from the Integrated Operational Programme (IOP) to increase the association Lower Vítkovice's chances of obtaining funds for the implementation of extensive plans for the revitalization of industrial cultural heritage in the form of the Hlubina Mine and Vítkovice's blast furnaces. Financial support from the region's budget is also anticipated, the amount of which will depend on the individual projects approved by the council and assembly of the Moravian-Silesian Region.
On the other hand, the Lower Vítkovice association has committed to securing project documentation and necessary permits, ensuring priority rights for the use of reconstructed suitable buildings for the needs of the region, and providing space for the future information center. It will also be responsible for the entire financing and implementation of the project for the accessibility and new use of the national cultural monument, which has been part of the network of monuments with the prestigious designation "European Heritage" since the end of last year.
The restoration of the most valuable parts of the national cultural monument is planned by 2013. The investor for the reconstructions and the establishment of visitor routes will be the mentioned interest association Lower Vítkovice. Its members include, besides the engineering company VÍTKOVICE, a.s., which is the owner of the national cultural monument of the blast furnaces, also the VSB – Technical University of Ostrava. Besides the Moravian-Silesian Region, the statutory city of Ostrava is also a partner.

More information: www.nkp-vitkovice.cz