Litomyšl plans to renovate the birthplace apartment of Bedřich Smetana

Litomyšl – The birth apartment of Bedřich Smetana in Litomyšl awaits reconstruction in a few years. The city will complete it in 2024, which marks the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. This was stated to ČTK by the director of the Regional Museum in Litomyšl, René Klimeš.

"The last construction intervention took place in the mid-90s. The exhibition is from 1995. The two-hundredth anniversary prompts us to adapt the exhibition to current needs,” said Klimeš.

In the past, the city renovated the Renaissance castle brewery where the apartment is located. It is already in a state of emergency. "In addition to new electrical installations and floors, it is also necessary to address rising humidity. Therefore, we would like to combine the necessary repairs with a dignified transformation of Bedřich Smetana's birthplace specifically for the 200th anniversary of his birth,” stated Deputy Mayor Radomil Kapšar (KDU-ČSL).

The town hall is currently considering whether it would be possible to obtain financial assistance from the state for the reconstruction of the birth house, or if the city, as the owner, will have to cover all costs itself. If the city only carried out necessary repairs and partial reconstruction of the exhibition, it would cost two million crowns. With potential grant contributions, it is considering building a multifunctional room. Part of the apartment should remain as faithful a reconstruction of the Smetana family's living space as possible.

"The exhibition should change, for example, by altering the entrance. It should be restored to its original location. It was in the brewery passage; now it is entered from the courtyard, where the maid's room was. The apartment should convey the impression that we are at the Smetanas' home,” said Klimeš.

Bedřich Smetana was born in Litomyšl on March 2, 1824. One hundred years later, Smetana's birth chamber was opened to the public. His family was relatively well-off. His father, František, trained as a brewer and rented and operated breweries, including the one in Litomyšl.

Bedřich was the son of František Smetana's third wife, Barbora Lynková. Both parents had some musical talent. As a young boy, he played the violin and piano. In 1830, he first publicly performed in Litomyšl playing the violin. A year later, the family moved to Jindřichův Hradec, where his father secured a favorable lease of the brewery owned by Count Černín.