Plzeň gives money for the renovation of the Gothic cathedral in the central square

Plzeň - Plzeň will provide money for the renovation of the Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartolomew in the central square. The project, costing 103 million CZK, will be mainly financed by a European grant from the IROP operational program. The Diocese of Plzeň will receive a grant from the Ministry for Regional Development covering 95 percent of the costs, with five percent being mandatory co-financing, said Martin Baxa (ODS), Deputy Mayor, to ČTK. The renovation of the interiors will begin next year and will last two to three years; the exteriors were restored 22 years ago.

The national cultural monument with a cruciform nave dates back to the 14th to 15th centuries. The late Gothic Šternberk Chapel was added between 1520 and 1529. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the church underwent renovations based on designs by Josef Mocker and Kamil Hilbert. "Since the time of these Neo-Gothic renovations, this will be the most comprehensive intervention," stated Baxa. The interior is also an exceptional architectural monument. The altar architecture, paintings, sculptures, church benches, confessionals, and firmly embedded artistic and artisan elements are predominantly movable cultural monuments.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the interiors of the church and its furnishings have not been renovated, and it shows. "The wooden elements are in some cases infested with wood-damaging insects, the gilding is covered with dust, and the oil paintings are darkened," said Baxa.

The project includes extensive restoration work on the walls, objects, and furnishings. "The statue of St. Bartolomew on the façade and the free sculptures will be restored in the exterior," said Baxa. To enhance visitor comfort, new lighting, heating, and sanitary facilities will be built, and the benches will be repaired. The tour route of the cathedral will be expanded to include the attic, where a new exhibition will be created. Interactive video documentation utilizing digitization and modern technologies will also be developed. "The attic houses a unique preserved Renaissance roof structure that should be made accessible," stated Baxa. The city will contribute 1.5 million CZK.