The Pardubice Region wants to continue the renovations of the castle in Pardubice

Pardubice - The Pardubice Region wants to continue with the renovations of the castle in Pardubice, which is a national cultural monument. The regional authority has submitted a request for a European grant to build a visitor center and permanent exhibitions costing 100 million crowns. Potential support from European funds could reach 68 million crowns, stated Michele Vojáček from the governor's office in a press release.

The request had to be submitted as soon as possible after the acceptance began, and it was successfully done in 32 minutes. "Time was indeed a decisive factor again, as many projects from across the republic came in response to the call. Thanks to quality preparation, which took half a year, and the professionalism of our team, the entire administrative process of completing the application registration was achieved in half an hour. Thus, we are at the top of the list of accepted applications and will now wait for the evaluation," said regional councilor for regional development and European funds Ladislav Valtr (ODS). The result is expected to be known at the beginning of next year.

The region wants to renovate the outbuildings accessible from the large courtyard at the castle. In the spaces once occupied by the East Bohemian Gallery, there will be not only a ticket office but also social facilities, an information and sales point, and a logical connection to the current restaurant services. On the first floor, the East Bohemian Museum will place a permanent exhibition of the region's nature.

The planned initiative builds on the project Castle Pardubice – utilization and restoration of the castle's exteriors and interiors no. 1 and no. 2, from which the guided tour Pernštejn Residence – the oldest Renaissance in Bohemia was ceremonially opened a month ago. The Pardubice Region is also preparing another project entitled Castle Pardubice – construction of a representative hall and foyer with facilities for the social section of the castle palace, which is counting on co-financing from European funds through the Hradecko-Pardubice agglomeration. Approximately 120,000 people pass through the Pardubice Castle annually, and this number could further increase with the new tours.

The Gothic-Renaissance castle in Pardubice was built by the Lords of Pernštejn on the site of the original fortress. In 1560, the Pernštejn family sold Pardubice to the king. The main social hall was, at its time, the second largest in Bohemia after the Vladislav Hall.