In Chrudim, the restoration of the historical bastion Prachárna has begun

Chrudim – Restoration of the historic bastion Prachárna has begun in Chrudim. After the repairs, the building will be accessible to the public. An interactive exhibition will be housed there, presenting the history of the fortifications of Chrudim in a modern way, said Libor Dufek from the mayor's office.

Part of the construction restoration includes static support for the structures, a new wooden staircase, brick paving, a floor on the upper level, electrical installations including a projection system and lighting, refurbishment of doors, and modifications to the space in front of the bastion. The construction is divided into two main phases: the construction part will be completed by the end of this year, followed by the installation of the exhibition, which will be finished by June 2026.

The architectural design is by the studio VIZ, led by architect Vratislav Zíka. The new permanent exhibition will bring visitors closer to the form of the fortification walls of Chrudim around the year 1600. The multimedia presentation on the upper floor will offer a projection onto the vault of the bastion and a physical model of the town at a scale of 1:500. An interactive space will be created on the ground floor with explanations about firearms, replicas, and gaming elements.

The exhibition will be seasonal with the possibility of opening on request outside the main season. The interior elements will be done in black to clearly contrast with the authentic character of the building. The models of the town and weapons will be made from durable materials in a light gray tone. During the construction work, the building will be closed to the public.

The total costs for the construction part, including project documentation and author and technical supervision, will reach approximately 2.65 million crowns including VAT. The new exhibition will cost an additional 487,000 crowns excluding VAT. The city has obtained a European grant for the restoration of the monument.

The bastion Prachárna, a cylindrical structure from the 15th century remodeled in the 18th century, is the best-preserved part of the fortification system of Chrudim. Its architectural solution allowed for the defense of the city not only towards the foreground but also along the walls. It was built in 1435 and was intended for defense; later, it served for the storage of gunpowder. The bastion is located at the edge of the Monastery Gardens behind the Church of St. Joseph, where the Museum of Baroque Sculptures is situated.