The repair of the Vrbenské barracks could be financed by the National Investment Plan

Hradec Králové - The renovation of the Vrbenské Barracks in the center of Hradec Králové could be financed from the National Investment Plan. While the funding for this part of the complex is still being resolved by the Královéhradecký region, construction work in the Gayer Barracks in the eastern part is set to begin in June. ČTK was informed about this by a representative of the regional office. The reconstruction of both former barracks could cost up to 700 million crowns. The former army complex was visited today by Minister of Culture Antonín Staněk (ČSSD) accompanied by the region's leadership.

"Both former military buildings are in very poor condition. The region intends to renovate them and hand them over for use to the East Bohemian Museum in Hradec Králové," stated Dan Lechmann from the Královéhradecký region.

The cost of the reconstruction and extension, including the interior furnishings of the Gayer Barracks, which houses the East Bohemian Museum, is 269 million crowns including tax. The region aims to cover 90 percent of the costs from grants. The Gayer Barracks are owned by the Královéhradecký region, which has entrusted the building to the management of the East Bohemian Museum in Hradec Králové.

A modern depository for the collections of the East Bohemian Museum will be created in the Gayer Barracks, which will be partially accessible to the public. The project also accounts for specific requirements from heritage conservationists related to archaeological finds. It should include a barrier-free extension, a research room, and access to the archaeological finding of the fortification rampart.

The Vrbenské Barracks have belonged to the city of Hradec Králové since last year, but the city hall has already concluded an agreement to transfer ownership to the region. For the renovation of the Vrbenské Barracks, which is expected to cost around 430 million crowns, the region already has an issued territorial decision, and the deadline for issuing a building permit is mid-year. "We are looking for funding sources for the renovation of the Vrbenské Barracks. One possibility is the National Investment Plan," stated Deputy Governor Martina Berdychová (East Bohemians).

In the currently unused Vrbenské Barracks, two exhibitions of the East Bohemian Museum are to be established, namely a natural science exhibition and an archaeological exhibition. They will focus on northeastern Bohemia and the Czech-Polish border region. There will also be a café, information center, and a community room. In the reconstructed Vrbenské Barracks, there will also be a museum depository for historical furniture and a lapidary, with part of the depository accessible to the public.

Next to the Vrbenské Barracks, ISP Hradec Králové is completing a parking garage for 300 cars. The garages are expected to be finished by mid-year. Builders at the site of the former veterinary clinic discovered remnants of the fortification Cavalier No. XXXIII. The excavations are to become part of the museum's archaeological exhibition.