The Pardubice Salesians renovated a functionalist building and added a puzzle to it

Pardubice - The Salesians in Pardubice have completed the renovation of a historic building on Zborovské náměstí after more than a year. They have maximally preserved its functionalist appearance, only adding a colorful puzzle to the white facade for passersby to solve. Marie Benáková, who oversaw the construction project, told ČTK. The Salesians are a Catholic religious order dedicated to youth education.

The rainbow inscription is located near the roof and frames the building. It conveys the four pillars of the Salesian center: playground, home, school, and church. The same theme is shown in the painted puzzles on the front of the building.

"The building remains modestly functionalist. It has a white facade, but since we are a youth center working with young people, the artist Nikola Khoma Vavrous from Ostrava created beautiful graffiti on it. Those waiting at the Zborovské náměstí bus stop can try to solve the letter puzzle that goes around the whole house," Benáková said.

The Salesians have existed since 1859 when Father Don Bosco founded them in Turin. The Salesian house in Pardubice, specifically its northern wing, began construction before World War II and was completed in 1944. After the war, they could fully dedicate themselves to helping youth for five years. Then, in 1950, there was Action K, a violent liquidation of monasteries and male Catholic religious orders.

The communists seized the building at that time and added two extensions in the 60s and 80s. During the previous regime, a language school operated there. In the 90s, the complex was returned to the Salesians as restitution. The functionalist building has undergone modernization only now.

“In some floors, the layout of the rooms changed, new partitions were built, new housing was created for the Salesians, with rooms having their own sanitary facilities. The house is like new,” said Ivana Němcová, who works at the center with youth.

The building is barrier-free thanks to an elevator, and it houses a church, club room, hall, game rooms, and apartments for the Salesians. "The architect chose Salesian red as the supporting color, which can be found on the door frames. The chairs in the church are original, given to the Salesians by the American army after the Velvet Revolution. There is new furniture made of ash wood and a new painting by artist Václav Sokol in the church," Benáková said. A festive mass was held in the church today, it was full, and some participants watched the broadcast on a screen in the adjacent room.

The Salesians renovated the functionalist part in the shape of a U, selling the more modern extensions to the Christian Primary School and the Noe kindergarten, which is rented there. "We sold part of the building at a very advantageous price; we wanted to have a good neighbor. We share the playground and gym with the school," said volunteer Josef Dvořák.

The modernization of the building cost 75 million crowns, part of which was covered by profits from the sale of two more modern wings, and the Salesian headquarters in Prague also contributed. The Pardubice Salesians donated ten million crowns, while collections and donations from foundations brought in three million. "We also received a grant from the European Union for insulation; there are solar panels on one wing that will help with electricity and hot water," Benáková added.