The renovation of the Sankturin House in Kutná Hora will become more expensive

Kutná Hora – The reconstruction of the Sankturin House, which is one of the oldest heritage-protected buildings in Kutná Hora, will be more expensive than originally planned. Before demolishing the non-original partitions, it was necessary to remove the asbestos hazard from the ventilation shafts. The city council also subsequently decided to build a passenger lift to make the gallery located in the renovated building accessible for disabled individuals, said Deputy Mayor Vít Šnajdr (Pirates) to ČTK.

The extensive restoration of the Sankturin House began this year and will last about a year. Including the installation of new exhibitions, it will cost 58 million Czech crowns excluding VAT, with construction works alone costing 38 million crowns. Most of the expenses will be covered by a grant.

However, an additional approximately 730,000 crowns must be paid for the removal of asbestos, as the rising ventilation shafts were made of asbestos cement pipes. The council also subsequently decided to install a passenger lift. The original project only accounted for a freight lift between the first and second floors and did not consider accessibility for the disabled. According to Šnajdr, the passenger lift will allow people with reduced mobility to visit all floors. The city management has not yet calculated how much this will increase costs.

In the building, it is primarily necessary to replace the floors and make new water and electricity installations. After the reconstruction, the house is to be opened to visitors to a greater extent, allowing them to view it from the basement to the highest floor, including the attic.

The information center and the Felix Jenewein Gallery have moved to alternative premises during the reconstruction of the Sankturin House. The gallery is now located in the House At the Miners on Šultysova Street, and the information center is in Kollárova Street.

Originally Gothic, later rebuilt in the Baroque style, the building was established at the end of the 13th century as a fortified tower structure for production purposes. Silver ore was processed in the industrial facilities here. One of the peculiarities is, among other things, the historical tower whose foundations reach a depth of 7.5 meters.

At the end of the 15th century, the house was purchased by mint master Beneš from Trničí, who converted it into a luxury palace. During the extensive fire in the city center in 1770, the building burned down, and in the subsequent reconstruction, it acquired its present form.