Unaccessible monuments are being opened, in a week there will be more

Prague - Over the weekend, people across the country had the opportunity to visit otherwise inaccessible or lesser-known historical sites, or to learn something more about well-known ones. The Czech Republic again joined the pan-European celebration that highlights neglected cultural heritage. Various programs are offered in the country as part of the European Heritage Days at around a thousand monuments in more than three hundred municipalities or cities. The days will last until September 17; in many places, such as Prague, more monuments will open only next weekend.
    Hundreds of people headed today to the Komorní Hrádek Castle in the Benešov region. This former noble residence, now used by the army, does not have many opportunities for visits throughout the year. At Sychrov Castle in the Liberec region, visitors were also allowed to see areas of the second floor of the castle that are usually not accessible and are awaiting renovation. Over the weekend, 120 visitors were able to view these areas, who had to make a reservation in advance. Tours will continue daily until next Sunday.
    In Prague, from today until September 15, the Jubilee Synagogue on Jeruzalémská Street is open to the public, where an exhibition of photographs documenting the former Jewish quarter of Prague was inaugurated today. On Saturday, the building of the former synagogue in Libeň was opened, which today is accessible only on the occasion of exhibitions or other cultural programs.
    The capital city will offer a major part of its program for the European Heritage Days next weekend. However, on Wednesday, people will be able to visit the Pankrác Memorial in Prague 4, which commemorates the victims of the fascist regime as well as the victims of the political trials of the 1950s.
    Next weekend, for example, the Pachtův Palace from Rájov at Anenské Square and the nearby Renaissance house U French Crown will be open, where the astronomer Johannes Kepler lived from 1607 to 1612 and where he completed the manuscript of his work Astronomia nova. At the main train station, people will be able to see the government lounge, which still serves as a rest area and support space for notable individuals traveling by train to and from Prague. On Sunday, the former St. Anne's Church, now known as Prague Crossroads, will be open.
    In České Budějovice, people will be able to visit the former salt office, a Gothic "log" house from the 15th century with a preserved log chamber, or the Iron Maiden tower, which was part of the city fortifications since the 14th century and received its name from the torture device housed in the tower.
    In many places across the republic, churches that otherwise open only for services, town halls, theaters, and also sites that are being renovated or are planned for repairs will be accessible. The European Heritage Days also remember younger and technical monuments, such as water towers or former mines, which will be made accessible. People can also visit archives, underground passages, caves, and other locations. A list by region is available on the website of the organizing association www.shscms.cz/ehd.
    In the Czech Republic, 1,056 monuments are to be opened until September 17 in 318 municipalities, and more than 500 accompanying events are prepared. There are approximately 40,000 registered immovable cultural monuments in the Czech Republic. There are around 200 national cultural monuments.