Pardubice completed the preparation for the reconstruction of the Memorial Zámeček

Pardubice - The City of Pardubice has completed the preparation of the project for the restoration of the Memorial Zámeček. The approval of the investment plan is on the agenda for the city councilors on Thursday. The costs will exceed 33 million crowns, and construction work may begin next spring, the city hall stated in a press release.

"Project costs have increased from 24 million crowns to 33 million crowns. But the share of the grant will be higher, so the costs covered by the city will not increase by the entire difference in the price increase,” said Deputy Mayor Jan Mazuch (ODS).

The city expects that the grant and state contribution will exceed 21 million crowns, with the remainder covered by the city budget. The work is to be completed by May 2021.

The memorial stands on the site of a former training shooting range of the reserve police regiment Böhmen, which the Nazis turned into a Gestapo execution site in the summer of 1942. From June 3 to July 9, 1942, 194 people were executed here. Since 1949, there has been a memorial at the execution site.

"In the area, we want to preserve the solemn character of the place and build a new exhibition that will commemorate not only the tragic fates of those who were able to stand up to evil, but also evil itself,” said Deputy Mayor Jakub Rychtecký (ČSSD).

The memorial area will be accessible year-round, with the entrance newly from Průmyslová Street, where there will also be parking for visitors. The existing monument will remain a dominant feature. The city will demolish the auxiliary building of the memorial, the fencing, and some minor architectural elements.

"The basis of the new form of the national cultural monument area will be an underground exhibition. The operator could then be the Lidice Memorial, which is a state-supported organization,” Rychtecký said.