From the castle in Czechia near Kosíř, there will also be a conference center

Olomouc - The councilors of the Olomouc region are already clear on how they will utilize the castle in Čechy pod Kosířem, which they are expected to acquire from the state in the second half of the year. Governor Ivan Kosatík told reporters today that, in addition to museum exhibits, it will be partially used as a conference center with accommodation and dining options. The reconstruction is estimated to cost 100 million crowns.
    The region must submit the castle utilization study for approval to the Office for State Representation in Property Matters. "It includes a museum of the Silva-Tarouce family and a Mánes museum, as well as an exhibit on Haná culture. There will also be a ceremonial hall that will serve the municipality and a lecture hall. We are also considering accommodation," said Kosatík.
    Accommodation in double rooms is expected to have a capacity of 50 beds, corresponding to one tour bus. "It will not be commercial services; accommodation will be linked to the program of the lecture hall. Similarly, the dining service will accommodate 120 people," he added.
    The anticipated costs for the reconstruction amount to 100 million crowns. The repair should be completed no later than 2015. "We anticipate starting construction work in 2009," said the governor.
    A large portion of the funding is to be obtained from the European Union and the so-called Swiss funds, which are part of the European grant mechanism. They are designated for the restoration of monuments. Deputy Governor Pavel Horák previously confirmed that the region intends to apply for a grant of 48 million crowns.
    The castle, with a hundred rooms, is currently empty. It last belonged to the noble family Sylva-Taroucy, which had it remodelled in the neoclassical style in the mid-19th century and created a twenty-hectare park around it with rare trees. For twenty years, artist Josef Mánes lived here as a painting teacher for young nobles. Since 1954, the castle served until recently as a special school for the mentally disabled and a children's home, which moved to the old hospital in Prostějov. Since then, the castle has been looking for a purpose. Three dozen surrounding municipalities have sought to take it over.