In the former church in Chrudim, a Museum of Baroque Sculptures has opened

Chrudim - The town of Chrudim today opened the Museum of Baroque Statues in the former Capuchin Church of Saint Joseph. The reconstruction of the dilapidated 17th-century church in the city center into a museum cost nearly 100 million crowns, more than 40 percent of which was covered by European Union grants. Chrudim hopes that the museum will attract not only lovers of Baroque art but also other tourists to the city.
    "The Museum of Baroque Statues offers a unique collection of three dozen wooden and stone statues, which date back to the 17th and first half of the 18th century," said Chrudim's deputy mayor Roman Málek (KDU-ČSL). The statues were borrowed from parishes or other cultural institutions. The museum will be open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 until the end of October. In November and the winter months, it will be open on weekends and public holidays.
    The cost of nearly 100 million crowns was approximately half higher than the original project estimate. The initial budget of 67 million crowns increased due to the demands of heritage protectors, changes in the project, and fittings. For example, instead of the originally proposed audiovisual room, which was to have several large screens costing tens of thousands of crowns, a digital cinema costing more than ten million crowns was created after the changes.
    The new leadership of the town hall tried to reduce the final price, for instance by modifying the competitions for certain works. However, the opening of the museum was delayed. "A two-month delay and opening after the season is not ideal, but considering the savings of around seven million crowns compared to plans, it seems very reasonable," stated Deputy Mayor Málek.
    The Capuchins, who had owned the church since its construction, used it until 1948. Until the early 1970s, it was possible to visit a Passion play installation in the church's basement during Easter. Later, the town used the church as storage for school furniture and unnecessary props from the theater.