In the Highlands, the restoration of monuments financed by Norwegian funds is nearing completion

Castle in Myslibořice

Jihlava - The restoration of monuments from the Cultural Heritage of Vysočina program is reaching its peak, from which the region secured over 19 million crowns last year from the so-called Norwegian funds. With contributions from owners, the work is being created for nearly 22 million. As reported by ČTK, the reconstruction of the tower of the church in Nová Říše has already been completed, as well as the restoration of the town hall in Telč in the Jihlava region. Work is nearing completion at the church in Křeč, and extensive repairs are ongoing at the church in Žirovnici as well as at the castle in Myslibořice, including the restoration of the altar in Pelhřimov.
    The Premonstratensian canonry in Nová Říše in the Jihlava region was able, thanks to the grant received, to embark on the reconstruction of the southern tower of the Church of St. Peter and Paul, for which it received 3.2 million crowns. "The funds were used to repair the roof structure of the tower, which was in a state of disrepair, and a new copper cladding has been installed," said Abbot Marián Rudolf Kosík to ČTK.
    At the end of October, the restoration of part of the historic town hall in Telč in the Jihlava region was also completed. The city secured 3.7 million crowns for it and will contribute over 400,000 crowns itself. Originally Gothic, later Renaissance-restructured, the building is one of the dominant features of Zachariáš of Hradec Square. "The craftsmen fully reconstructed the second floor of the building and its courtyard gable. The windows were replaced, a new façade was created, and the stairway was reconstructed. The Department of Development and Spatial Planning has moved into the new spaces," said Deputy Mayor Hana Müllerová to ČTK.
    The restoration of the Church of St. John the Elder in Křeč near Černovice, dating back to the 13th century, is also nearing completion. According to parish administrator Jan Poul, the drainage of the church has been completed, including floor repairs; only the plasterwork remains to be repaired. "The parish received 1.24 million crowns from the Norwegian funds for repairs," he told ČTK. Archaeologists found, for example, scabbards of swords and a dagger depicting the Czech lion after uncovering the floor.
    The most successful applicant was the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren, which received 5.3 million crowns for the reconstruction of the roof structure and a new roof for the Baroque castle in Myslibořice in the Třebíč region. A retirement home for the elderly is located in the monument. According to Michaela Grmelová, a member of the home's board, the general restoration of the roof structure and roof of the right wing of the castle building will be completed by next summer. The reconstruction included the installation of roof windows for future attic construction.
    In Žirovnici in the Pelhřimov region, the restoration of the Church of St. Philip and James is ongoing. Craftsmen are currently replacing the roofing on the tower. The repair of the roof structure, new roof—including plumbing elements—and restoration of stained glass, façade, and conservation of stone elements will cost nearly six million crowns.
    According to the plan, the restoration of the Baroque altar of St. Florian in the Church of St. Vitus in Pelhřimov should be completed by March next year, for which the city hall secured over 900,000 crowns. "The first part of the altar will be installed by Christmas," said Jiří Mattiášek from the Department of Internal Affairs to ČTK.
    Nineteen applicants sought funding from the Cultural Heritage of Vysočina program, needing a total of 51 million crowns for their projects. Only six of them were successful.
    The financial mechanisms that help in the restoration of monuments in Vysočina were established in 2004 by three non-EU member states - Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The program is five years (2004-2009), and financial assistance is provided to ten new EU member states as well as Spain, Portugal, and Greece. The main goal is to reduce social and economic inequalities in the European Economic Area within defined priority areas, including the preservation of European cultural heritage.