Heritage conservationists recommend that the former hospital in Moravská Třebová be preserved

Moravská Třebová - The building of the former children's hospital department in Moravská Třebová in Svitavy is a monument of local significance. Therefore, conservationists recommend preserving it. Nevertheless, the city is preparing to demolish it in mid-September, which it has already postponed once.

The demolition was halted last year by a request from a local citizen for the Ministry of Culture to declare the building a cultural monument. This did not happen. The town hall can demolish it. The building of the then district office was originally designed by the prominent regional architect Oskar Czepa, but his design was reworked.

"Although the building does not bear such serious cultural values to be declared a cultural monument, some of its parts contain quality historical components. Valuable architectural and artisanal elements are primarily contained in the entrance hall," stated conservationists from Pardubice in their assessment.

The town has owned the early 20th-century object for ten years, having bought it for four million crowns. Since then, the building has deteriorated significantly, and it has caught fire several times. The city wanted to make it a conference center, but the subsidies were too low. Other plans by private investors, such as starter apartments or a senior home, did not materialize. In January this year, representatives from Masaryk University proposed to convert the building into a scientific and museum center.

According to town hall spokeswoman Dagmar Zouharová, however, the university later did not respond and did not provide the necessary materials, which is why the idea fell through. If the city had properly cared for the building, it would not have deteriorated so much, said councilor Daniela Blahová (Association of Non-Party Members).

"We believe that it should not have come to this extent. There will be an empty space there. The matter with the center was discussed, it could have continued. Given that there was a statement that the building is not a cultural monument, the city started the demolition. There is no will on its part," Blahová said.

The building authority is simultaneously investigating a local resident's complaint. According to him, the demolition company did not just clear the building last year, but also directly interfered with the structures, even though it did not yet have a valid demolition order. "It's nonsense; it's just a bump," said Mayor Miloš Izák (CSSD).

According to the town hall, the fallen ceilings have been in the building for many years. After the demolition, the space will be empty; what to do with it next is still undecided by the town hall. However, according to Izák, the land will not be suitable for the construction of family houses. "There is a majority agreement in the council for the demolition. If it were a building solely by Oskar Czepa, it would have greater value today. But it has been altered twice; the second time was after the reconstruction in the 1960s," said Miroslav Netolický from the town hall.