The repair of the statics of the Benedikt Rejt Gallery will cost 10 million crowns

Louny - The Ústí nad Labem region will repair the Benedikt Rejta Gallery in the historic center of Louny. The architecturally significant building is in a state of emergency. There are cracks in the damp walls of the structure, which is why the gallery has been closed for a long time. The cost of repairs has been estimated by the operator at ten million crowns. This was stated today by Lucie Dosedělová, spokesperson for the Ústí nad Labem region.
    According to the spokesperson, the emergency concerns not only the structure's stability but also the utilities and heating system. "A complete removal of this emergency is already planned, using the region's own resources. The current cost estimate is about ten million crowns," Dosedělová specified.
    The project is ready. "Now we are waiting for a decision on when and how the repairs will be carried out," said Alica Štefančíková, the gallery director, to ČTK. Before the actual remediation of the damp walls begins, experts must secure the stability of the structure, which consists of an old brewery and a new extension. "The cracked columns need to be propped and braced before construction work can commence," the director stated.
    If the structure's stability can be ensured in the near future, the gallery could then open to the public for a limited time. "It would then close again once the construction work started, but everything depends on the builders," Štefančíková added.
    The gallery specializes in the purchase of Czech abstract and minimalist art. The two-story building offers ample space for exhibitions. The Louny gallery also manages the memorial hall of Emil Filla at the castle in Peruc. This will open to the public this year on the occasion of the International Museum and Galleries Day on May 18.
    The Ústí nad Labem region manages six museums, four galleries, a regional library, a castle, and an observatory with a planetarium. In the program for the rescue and restoration of cultural monuments, regardless of ownership, the regional councilors approved six million crowns for this year. "We also anticipate an increase of four million crowns, and an additional million crowns is prepared for small monuments in the landscape," Dosedělová stated.