Znojmo has completed the reconstruction of the Old School, it will serve as a cultural center

Znojmo – Znojmo has completed the reconstruction of the Old School building in the Loucký Monastery complex after more than two years. For 71 million korunas, a large portion of which was contributed by the European Union, a new social and cultural center has been created, which includes a multifunctional hall. It is to be in operation from next year, said Znojmo spokesperson Soňa Bystřická to ČTK.

It was supposed to be finished earlier, but the construction was delayed due to the pandemic. "We are still waiting for the delivery of complete interior furnishings. Moreover, the current situation does not allow us to have a ceremonial opening in the manner that the building truly deserves. We will wait until the situation improves so that we can meet here and show the spaces,” stated Mayor Jakub Malačka.

The rooms on the ground floor will serve as workshops with facilities for training and craft courses. An information center and a multifunctional hall with a capacity of up to 200 people will be created on the first floor. "It will serve for cultural, social, and educational events, exhibitions, and conferences," Bystřická added.

The Old School is originally a medieval building, and various archaeological finds emerged during the construction. For this reason, there will be an exhibition and lapidarium in the basement, which will showcase the construction development of the Loucký Monastery to visitors. Thanks to the construction, the largest archaeological survey of the monastery to date has been conducted. In the area of the now non-existent cloister, archaeologists primarily uncovered skeletal remains from the Middle Ages and modern times. An interesting find is also the skeleton of a toddler from the 12th century.

"Another unexpected discovery in the area of the paradise courtyard are two cellars. The larger one is a continuation of the southern wing of the original monastery, where the kitchen and refectory were originally located. Its vault is likely Renaissance or Baroque, but the walls are Romanesque, dating back to the very beginnings of the monastery. The second, significantly smaller cellar is probably medieval and likely led to a well in the middle of the paradise courtyard," said Bystřická.

Archaeologists made finds in the Old School itself as well. One of them is a Romanesque column that had been bricked up in the floor space of the current reception. Detailed examination revealed the original floor level, including preserved Renaissance brick paving. The second find is a unique discovery of a bricked-up narrow Romanesque "arrow-slit" window from the early 13th century on the ground floor in the south outer wall of the building.

Work was also done on the surroundings of the Old School. Towards Loucká Street, an underground rainwater retention tank has been placed. In front of the church and school, the city had the original cobblestone paving restored with boulders. In cooperation with the parish, it was also possible to restore the original side entrance to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Wenceslas from the northern cloister.