The renovation of the Krkonoš Museum in Vrchlabí has so far cost 35 million CZK

Vrchlabí – The renovation of the former Augustinian monastery in Vrchlabí, which houses the Krkonoš Museum, has so far cost approximately 35 million crowns. The construction work, which began a year ago, is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, said Radek Drahný, spokesman for the Krkonoš National Park Administration (KRNAP), to ČTK. The former monastery building has been closed since autumn 2017, and a new main Visitor Center for KRNAP will be established there. The construction work is being carried out by the company Metrostav, which won the contract for 109.5 million crowns excluding VAT.

"The work has fallen behind schedule, primarily due to fluctuations in the groundwater level and necessary structural modifications and underpinning of the monastery's foundations. A portion of the new entrance extension, rough installations, and structural modifications of the building are completed," Drahný told ČTK.

According to him, the Administration anticipates an increase in costs of about 15 percent due to additional work, mainly concerning the securing of the building's statics.

The construction phase of the project will be followed by the creation of the exhibition, anticipated to open to the public in the first half of 2023. The total costs, including the establishment of the exhibition, are estimated at more than 200 million crowns. The project has received financial support from the EU through the Integrated Regional Operational Program (IROP) aimed at supporting museums. European grants are expected to cover more than 80 percent of eligible costs.

The renovated monastery with a new interactive exhibition will serve as a representative gateway to the Krkonoš for visitors. The new KRNAP Visitor Center will replace the previously popular exhibitions "Stone and Life" and "Man and the Mountains." An exhibition documenting the story of the Krkonoš with regard to its unique nature and the coexistence of nature and humanity will be created.