The Vrbenského barracks in H. Králové belong to the region, the transfer was approved by both the region and the city.

Hradec Králové - The Vrbenského Barracks in the center of the hundred-thousand-strong Hradec Králové belongs to the Hradec Králové Region. The regional and city representatives approved the transfer of ownership rights of the property to the region. CTK was informed today by the spokesperson of the regional office, Dan Lechmann. Until now, the Vrbenského Barracks were owned by the city. According to the regional office, resolving the property transfer is one of the key conditions for obtaining grants from European funds, which the region wants to utilize for a extensive reconstruction of the barracks.

"The representatives approved the conclusion of an amendment to the existing contract of future donation. The transfer of ownership rights to the barracks in connection with the implementation of the project had already been pre-negotiated with the city. However, we needed the consent of both councils and the completion of necessary administrative procedures for the transfer," stated Václav Řehoř (ODS), the regional councilor for transport and property.

The region wants to turn the barracks into a museum and cultural center, which would be managed and directed by the Regional Museum of Eastern Bohemia. The regional office estimates the costs for the repair of the buildings and the construction of exhibitions to be 650 million crowns. The region already has a building permit for the reconstruction.

"The revitalization project of the Hradec Králové Region in cooperation with the Museum of Eastern Bohemia aims to breathe new life into the former military building. A unique cultural and creative center should arise. The barrack interiors will become home to a modern natural history exhibition. The museum plans to present the fortress history here," Lechmann stated.

The Vrbenského Barracks should also feature an experiential creative center for the public, research rooms, lecture halls, and an environment for the education of children from primary and secondary schools.

"In September, we applied for 55 million crowns from the National Recovery Plan, and further requests for financial support will follow at the turn of the year. The project already has a building permit," stated the deputy governor for social care, culture, and tourism, Martina Berdychová (Východočeši).

Recently, the region completed a large-scale reconstruction of the Gayer Barracks in the area of the barracks in the city center at a cost of 310 million crowns, which houses the depository of the Regional Museum of Eastern Bohemia. The Gayer and Vrbenského Barracks are of equal size and are situated mirrorwise across from each other on the premises. The Vrbenského Barracks were built in the 19th century and have been unused since the 90s of the last century.

The Vrbenského Barracks were previously owned by the city of Hradec Králové, while the region had the building under lease in connection with the planned project. The city acquired the barracks from the army in 2009 and, despite several attempts, could not find a use for them.