The restoration of the monastery at Králíky is starting, it is one of the two main investments of the diocese

Hradec Králové - The largest investments this year by the Hradec Králové diocese include the construction of a bed hospice with respite care in Stěžery near Hradec Králové for 180 million crowns and the renovation of the monastery complex on the Mountain of Mother of God near Králíky in the Orlickoústecko region for 80 million crowns. This was reported to ČTK by Pavel J. Sršeň, spokesperson for the Hradec diocese. While the construction of the hospice began in the autumn, the renovation of the monastery is starting these days.

The Hradec Králové diocese covers the territory of Hradec Králové, Pardubice, and parts of three other regions: Liberec, Central Bohemia, and Vysočina. The seat of the diocese is in Hradec Králové.

"Regarding the pilgrimage area of the Mountain of Mother of God, the construction site was handed over to the construction company on Wednesday, March 5. It is expected to be completed by October 2026 at the latest. The cost of the construction work should be within 80 million crowns," said Sršeň.

The renovation of the complex on the Mountain of Mother of God near Králíky will primarily involve the replacement of most roofing materials from galvanized steel to copper. Builders will repair the facades, the monastery will have a new elevator, and part of the attic will be made accessible. The pilgrimage area was declared a national cultural monument in 2018. The Pilgrim House was renovated from 1990 to 1993.

"The pilgrimage area of the Mountain of Mother of God has been undergoing a complete revitalization for several years. It is a significant spiritual place, but also a very popular tourist destination. For this reason, in 2021, the Pilgrim House hotel was modernized and expanded, to which the church invested 70 million crowns," stated Sršeň. The church also covers personnel costs associated with the operation of the area, which includes an exhibition about the history of the pilgrimage site.

A second specialized palliative and hospice care facility is being established in Stěžery for 200 million crowns. A bed hospice in Červený Kostelec in the Náchod region has been operating in the region since 1995. The investor of the Stěžery hospice is the Hradec regional charity, which finances the project from multiple sources. The anticipated completion date for the construction is in December, with operations set to begin in spring 2026.

The hospice will have 20 beds, including 12 for hospice care and eight for respite care. There will be facilities for home hospice care, which the Hradec regional charity has been operating for 11 years. Plans also include an outpatient palliative care physician's office.

The Hradec diocese operates with a balanced budget, its representatives stated without further details. "The Hradec Králové diocese is gradually trying to repair churches and other sacred monuments, of which there are more than a thousand in the area of the diocese. Even though it involves grant programs for financing, it must often acquire substantial funds for co-financing. In particular, it helps smaller and medium-sized parishes with co-financing through the Solidarity Fund," stated Sršeň.

The diocese is also preparing to transition to a system of independent financing, as churches will stop receiving state subsidies based on property settlement starting in 2030. Therefore, it is also investing in development projects.

"After the termination of state operating subsidies in 2030, the revenues from the new property base must be sufficient to replace this state subsidy. In an optimal situation, the diocese should have sufficient financial resources available for several years after the state subsidy stops," added Sršeň.