The renovation of the Vrbenský barracks in H. Králové cost 382 million CZK, part of it will open in December

Hradec Králové - Hradec Králové Region has completed the reconstruction and extension of the historic building of the former Vrbenský Barracks in the center of Hradec Králové for 382 million CZK. It will house the Eastern Bohemia Museum (MVČ) in Hradec Králové and the largest natural science exhibition in the Czech Republic. The new name of the building will be Archa, and on December 1, the Center for Creative Museum Management of the Hradec Králové Region will begin its activities there. This was announced today by representatives of the region and the museum during a presentation of the renovated building. Construction work began last June.

The renovated historic building will serve scientific, educational, and cultural purposes. The total project costs, including equipment, are around 530 million CZK, with the region expecting to open the exhibitions to the public from 2028.

"The completion of the construction part of the new museum center is not only a rehabilitation of a unique historical building, but primarily a significant contribution to education, culture, and knowledge throughout the region," stated Governor Petr Koleta (ANO).

The building known as Vrbenský Barracks was constructed in the 19th century and is located in the Gayer Barracks complex. Together with the mirror-imaged barracks building, which the region renovated for 310 million CZK in 2021 and is now home to the main specialist workplace of MVČ, it forms an important urban and architectural composition in the city’s heritage conservation area of Hradec Králové. Until 2018, Vrbenský Barracks belonged to the army, after which ownership transferred to the city, which conveyed it to the region along with the land for the extension at the beginning of 2023.

According to the region's leadership, the reconstruction of the barracks represents one of the largest steps in modernizing cultural infrastructure in the region in the last decade. "The Vrbenský Barracks will house the largest natural science exhibition in the Czech Republic and the building will also offer new opportunities for the cultural and creative sector as well as modern facilities for the protection, study, and presentation of collections," noted the Deputy Governor for Culture and Regional Development Jiří Štěpán (HLAS self-governments).

According to the director of MVČ, the use of the renovated building will help the museum resolve the lack of space after decades. "The new spaces will not only serve our museum, but thanks to our methodological role, they will contribute to the modernization of museum management in the region and also to the development of cooperation with schools and universities. After the completion of the interiors and equipment of the building, Archa will gradually become the center of museum and cultural activities in the region," said MVČ director Petr Grulich.

The Center for Creative Museum Management of the Hradec Králové Region will be a workplace of MVČ focused on supporting education and providing methodological guidance to museums in the region. The building will also feature a natural science and archaeological exhibition. The spacious building will include a Digitization Center for Museum Management of the Hradec Králové Region, storage rooms, workshops, technical facilities for the museum's exhibition activities, a café, as well as the MVČ headquarters.

Of the total project costs of 530 million CZK, construction work accounted for the largest portion, exceeding 382 million CZK. The region will pay 130 million CZK for exhibitions and equipment, the region stated. The remainder is allocated to project documentation and other expenses. The stated prices include VAT. The grant amounts to approximately 300 million CZK, the region reported.

The reconstruction of Vrbenský Barracks is the final phase of creating a cultural and museum campus in the city center. The municipality is also involved in the development of the complex, which will follow with a phase in which the city will reconstruct the public space between the former barracks buildings.

Project of the scientific, educational, and cultural center in the Vrbenský Barracks:

year	activity
2015	approval of the revitalization plan for Vrbenský and Gayer Barracks by the regional council
2016 - 2023	project work, engineering, and permitting processes
2018	conclusion of future contracts with the city regarding the acquisition of the building
2022 - 2023	securing four grant sources
2023	transfer of the building into the ownership of the Hradec Králové Region
June 2024 - October 2025	construction work
November 2025	equipment for the Center for Creative Museum Management of the Hradec Králové Region
2025 - 2027	preparation and construction of exhibitions
from 2028	opening of exhibitions to the public

Source: Hradec Králové Region