In Kolín, the renovated complex of St. Bartolomew's Church has opened

photo: Masák & Partner

Kolín - The area of the Church of St. Bartholomew in Kolín was opened today after more than two years of renovation. The restoration focused on the interiors of the bell tower, the old school, and the ossuary. Craftsmen also repaired the adjacent walls and bastion. All restoration work was done manually, informed ČTK Kateřina Tůmová from the architectural studio Masák & Partner.

"For the city of Kolín, the restoration of the Church of St. Bartholomew represents the biggest event in the historic core in several decades," stated Mayor Michael Kašpar (Change for Kolín).

The project has been in development since 2015, with repairs of the buildings around the church starting in December 2017. The renewal of the area was financed from grants. According to previous information, the construction work cost approximately 90 million crowns.

According to architect Jakub Masák, a significant change was the alteration to the facades of the old school and the ossuary. "The plaster repairs created a new interesting composition in the area and restored the buildings to their original appearance. The project also included the restoration of the walls and the establishment of a public park in the area of the historic bastion. Interesting and previously inaccessible spaces are now open to the public," said Masák.

One of the most demanding parts was the complete restoration of the interiors and exteriors of the ossuary, which is owned by the church. The building exhibited structural defects that caused the original bone decorations to settle. The sinking floor also posed a problem. Craftsmen cleaned the ossuary, restored its decorations, repainted, and restored the ceiling painting.

The ossuary in Kolín is a more modest counterpart to the famous ossuary in Sedlec. It has never served visitors; now it will be accessible to the public. The skeletal decorations are not replicas but come directly from the local cemetery.

In the interior of the bell tower, craftsmen restored the internal masonry and refurbished the window shutters. The spaces will serve as an exhibition area. The basement houses a lapidarium with stone elements from the Church of St. Bartholomew. On the first floor, visitors will find an exhibition of church treasures, including chalices and vestments, while a carillon will be installed under the bells. A small hall for exhibitions of photographs or smaller artworks has also been created in the bell tower.

The restoration of the old school affected both the interiors and exteriors. The plaster, which the building lost during the neo-Gothic romantic renovations by architect Mocker at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, has been restored. Inside, an interactive museum exhibition will introduce visitors to notable figures and natives of Kolín.

The Church of St. Bartholomew was built in the second half of the 13th century. In the 14th century, Petr Parléř constructed a new cathedral choir with a crown of chapels. At the beginning of the 16th century, a bell tower was added.