Kosmonosy will receive the entire Loreta complex from the state and want to make it more accessible to the public

Kosmonosy – Kosmonosy in the Mladá Boleslav region will receive the remaining parts of the Baroque Loreto complex for free from the Office for State Representation in Property Matters (ÚZSVM). The town hall has been pursuing the transfer of this significant monument to its ownership for several years. As the owner of the entire complex, it can now begin planned investments, aiming to make it more accessible to the public as well as a venue for social and cultural events. This was stated to ČTK by Kosmonosy Mayor Eduard Masarčík (Citizens for Kosmonosy).

The office transferred to the town the land with the historic cemetery and the land on which St. Martin's Chapel stands. "Currently, the process of registration at the real estate cadastre is underway. The ownership change should occur soon," said office spokesperson Michaela Tesařová to ČTK.

"As long as Loreto was not fully owned by the town, we could not capitalize on foreign property; now we have the opportunity to launch several projects that were in preparation," Masarčík said. This includes the construction of sanitary facilities for visitors, for which three million crowns are earmarked in the town budget, and park renovations are also planned. According to the mayor, Loreto could serve not only for tours and wedding ceremonies but also for recreational activities, such as yoga classes, cultural and educational events, or programs for children.

Loreto in Kosmonosy was built between 1702 and 1708 by Heřman Černín of Chudenice according to the design of the Italian architect Giovanni Alliprandi. The complex includes a rectangular Loretan chapel, known as Santa Casa, which is a copy of a similar structure from the Italian city of Loreto. It is meant to resemble the house where the Virgin Mary lived. The walls are adorned with Old Testament scenes and paintings from the life of the Virgin Mary. The complex also features cloisters and St. Martin's Chapel. Loreto is a pilgrimage site. There are about 50 other Loreto sites in the Czech Republic, with the one in Kosmonosy being among the largest. Loreto is open to visitors from April to October.