The National Heritage Institute has completed one phase of the restoration of Kunětická Hora Castle

Ráby - The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) today ceremonially concluded one of the phases of the restoration of the Kunětická hora castle in the Pardubice region. The project named Kunětická hora by Dušan Jurkovič - the poet of wood returns the monument partly to the form it had during the First Republic according to the plans of the famous architect. From the original interior furnishings designed by Jurkovič, only the ceiling cladding and partly the walls in the palace in the western part of the castle have been preserved, said the caretaker Miloš Jiroušek to journalists today.

"The ceiling cladding, because no one could reach it. The castle was completely freely accessible in the 1980s, without a guard. The interiors were heavily demolished, chandeliers and furniture have been fully newly replicated, none have been preserved," stated Jiroušek.

The restoration, costing 88 million crowns, has affected the western wing with the sixth gate, the adjacent wooden construction, the object of the former court chamber, and the western so-called Jurkovič palace. A self-supporting steel-glass structure has been built into part of it. It houses exhibitions dedicated to Jurkovič and his works and the reconstruction of the castle at the beginning of the 20th century, which was carried out by the Museum Society. Last year, the restoration of the First Republic wooden veranda according to Jurkovič's design was completed.

In 1919, the castle ruin was purchased by the Pardubice Museum Society, which prompted the establishment of the Kunětické cooperative, which subsequently began repairs and security work. The monument was owned until 1953, after which it was expropriated. Under state administration, the castle quickly fell into disrepair and had to be closed to the public in 1980. Practically nothing has remained of the form created according to the architect's design. "After nationalization, the trace of Dušan Jurkovič was almost erased," said Naděžda Goryczková, the general director of the National Heritage Institute.

Currently, work is already underway on a second repair project called Kunětická hora - Theater in the Castle and Below the Castle. This phase focuses on restoration work and heritage renewal of the castle palace. Stone elements, interior plastering, and electrical wiring will be restored, and a wooden structure will be created on the first-floor level in the northern palace wing, with an adjacent balcony on the second floor of the former royal hall. For the first time in modern history, this castle wing will thus be accessible to the public. The structure will allow the use of these spaces for exhibition, theatrical, and musical events.

According to Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD), who attended today’s event, the monuments could open for group tours starting May 31. Due to the favorable epidemiological situation, he intends to propose this at a government meeting.