Portmoneum will shorten the season this year due to repairs

Litomyšl - Portmoneum of Josef Váchal in Litomyšl in the Svitavy region will shorten its exhibition season this year due to reconstruction. It will last only from the end of March to the beginning of June. Roman Línek (KDU-ČSL), the deputy governor, told ČTK.

"We have secured 9.5 million crowns for the necessary structural modifications, insulation of the attic, and roof repairs. The house has several extensive cracks, has very shallow foundations, and the roof, replaced years ago, has numerous defects," Línek said.

Due to the reconstruction, a loft extension will be created in the house, which will allow for an expansion of the permanent exhibition and provide a room for public events and school and children's groups. "If everything goes according to plan, we would like to welcome the start of the 2020 tourist season already in the new space," said Línek.

Pardubice Region purchased Portmoneum from the heirs of Ladislav Horáček in 2016. The last major renovations at Portmoneum took place more than 25 years ago. "Therefore, it will also be necessary to replace the outdoor sewage system and adjust the garden and the former laundry building in the courtyard," Línek added.

Váchal decorated the house with his drawings and also provided wooden furniture with his paintings. He depicted many spiritual and religious themes that stemmed from his life attitudes and views on visual art.

Váchal was friends with Josef Portman, to whom the house belonged and who wanted to name the museum in his honor Vacháleum. However, the friends quarreled, and everything fell through. Váchal was a versatile artist, a painter, graphic artist, writer, poet, and woodcarver.