Váchal's Portmoneum has compromised statics, the region will repair it

"Several cracks have appeared in the building, indicating structural problems. Given the value of the interior painting by Josef Váchal, we must quickly repair the structure to prevent the cracks from spreading to the interiors," said Línek.

The last major renovations at Portmoneum took place 25 years ago. The region is preparing a reconstruction project. It will also be necessary to replace the outdoor sewage system and adjust the garden, as well as the former laundry building in the yard.

"This year, we will be designing, and next year the actual renovations should be completed. We have allocated 5.5 million crowns in the budget for this," stated Governor Martin Netolický (ČSSD).

The versatile artist Váchal decorated the house of Josef Portman with drawings in the 1920s and also created furniture. Váchal depicted many spiritual and religious themes on the walls of the house and furniture. These themes stem from his life attitudes and opinions on visual arts.

Portman wanted to open the house as Váchaleum, a tribute to the artist he admired. The collaboration ended due to a dispute over Váchal's printing blocks, which Portman used without permission. Portman was an art collector and an amateur printer. Their relationship soured further after the publication of Váchal's famous Bloody Novel. Portman appears in it as the greedy Count Portmon, who resides in Portmoneum.

The regional authority has owned the house since late last year. It was purchased for 15 million crowns from the heirs of publisher Ladislav Horáček. The local museum manages it, which last year opened a self-service café in the garden. Visitors can also see it through the camera obscura.