The Loucky Monastery in Znojmo is becoming a center of social life

Znojmo - The Louka Monastery in Znojmo, which the city took over from the state in 2010 in poor condition, is transforming into a center of social life. It is attracting tourists, and the city leadership is planning further development. Next year, a reconstructed riding school will open, which will be the largest social hall in the city, and classrooms will be created on its second floor. The city is also considering converting the officers' pavilion into a hotel; other parts are still awaiting their use, said Mayor František Koudela (ODS) to ČTK.

Collaboration with the private sector is important for Znojmo, as the former monastery, which served as barracks in the 19th and 20th centuries, is so large that the city alone does not have the capacity for renovations and operations. The extensive Baroque building has four floors.

Two years ago, the city opened the reconstructed so-called old school, now called the Louka Center. It has a social hall available, but it also functions as an information center; at the same time, people can view the church and lapidarium, along with parts of the monastery. Currently, the riding school with facilities is being reconstructed. It will have a hall with a capacity of approximately 800 people, and classrooms will be on the second floor. "There will be workshops and space for workshops by music and theatre groups. There is also an alternative space for theatres in the attic," described Koudela. Part of the monastery is also used long-term by the winery company Znovín, which opened reconstructed representative halls on the first floor about three years ago.

The city is now also having additional parts of the monastery surveyed so that potential investors have accurate data on the size and layout of the rooms. Similarly, the city is now addressing the surveying of the so-called officers' pavilion. "We are looking for a partner for its use who could have quite a large hotel here," noted Koudela. He also acknowledged the possibility of a PPP project, that is one that involves private business and public administration together.

Less visible and long-term is the replacement of all windows in the monastery in cooperation with conservationists to maintain the original historical character. In 2017, the monastery became a cultural monument. The window replacements began in 2016 and should be completed by 2026. "It is a signal that we care for the monastery and maintain it. We also employ a caretaker whose task is to ensure it does not decay," said Koudela. The interiors of the monastery, which are still awaiting renovation, are already cleared and cleaned.

The city leadership perceives the Louka Monastery and its surroundings as a unified space that tourists, locals, and companies can target for holding conferences and other similar activities. Next to the monastery, which offers and will offer a range of services, there is also a summer swimming pool and a new indoor swimming pool, and it is only a few steps from there to the Dyje River and the local campsite.