After a two-year break, tours of the Pardubice crematorium will take place on Saturday

Pardubice – The crematorium in Pardubice is organizing an open house on Saturday. Public tours have not been held for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stated the spokesperson for the Services of the City of Pardubice, Klára Sýkorová. The facility is a national cultural monument, designed by Pavel Janák, who was inspired by folk architecture. Next year, the building will celebrate 100 years since it started operating.

"Visitors will be able to tour the entire building, including the cremation technologies. Interested parties will visit the building on a different occasion than a mourning farewell. In the large ceremonial hall, a documentary film 'Death is a Part of Life,' which was made on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Pardubice crematorium and received great interest from viewers, will be screened,” Sýkorová stated.

With guides, visitors will walk the tour routes, including areas that are no longer in use. In 1968, Juraj Herz filmed 'The Cremator' near the old furnaces. They will also see the technologies used for the cremation of the deceased today.

"Employees present on-site will be ready to answer visitors' questions. The Services of the City of Pardubice traditionally expect a high interest in this event,” the spokesperson said.

Architect Janák designed the crematorium in the style of rondocubism, a style he developed with Josef Gočár. He employed stylized motifs from Czech and Moravian folklore. The interior features wooden elements that recall village architecture. Around the singing tribunes is carved railing, and the ceilings are decorated with painted floral motifs.

The building has been a national cultural monument since 2010. It has been open since 1923. For the centenary celebration, an exhibition will be created in cooperation with the East Bohemian Museum in Pardubice, which will take place for a significant part of next year in front of the crematorium.