Ostrava has completed the equipment of the listed Grossmann Villa

Ostrava

Ostrava - The city of Ostrava has completed the interior furnishing of the heritage-protected Grossmann Villa. In recent months, furniture has been added, including carpets and textiles worth over ten million crowns. The goal was to bring the architectural gem of the city as close as possible to its original appearance. Representatives of the city and the curator of the villa, Tomáš Rusek, shared this with journalists today.

The villa features rare carpets from the Iranian city of Kashan, a Pakistani Jaldar carpet made of sheep wool interwoven with silk threads, and a woolen, naturally dyed Mauri. Additionally, elements such as stained glass, a replica of the grille, and curtains were also added, with the final phase focusing mainly on furniture. "In furnishing the rooms, we relied on available period sources that specified the colors, types, and sizes of carpets, as well as a list of furniture including materials," Rusek stated.

The selection of individual pieces was done on a case-by-case basis. Some items are restorations of stylistically appropriate period furniture. Other pieces of furniture were newly made based on photographic documentation. For example, a semicircular bench in the music salon, beds on the private floor of the villa, and a dressing table in the boudoir of the ladies' bedroom were made this way. "These elements had to fit dimensionally and in shape into the existing niches. The most remarkable room in this regard is Mrs. Grossmann's bedroom, where the bed with carved elements and bedside tables is set back in a newly painted alcove with a canopy, just like in a photograph from the 1920s," Rusek added.

The Grossmann Villa opened to the public two springs ago. Its reconstruction cost 132 million crowns, and over ten million more was spent on furnishings. "I am pleased that we have completed the final phase of the reconstruction of the Grossmann Villa. We opened it to the public two years ago, it had undergone a complete reconstruction and restoration, but it was unfurnished. Now we have completed its overall furnishing. Ostrava has undoubtedly gained a new visitor and tourist point," said Mayor Jan Dohnal (Spolu).

So far, approximately 19,000 visitors have visited the villa, and others enjoy its garden for relaxation, which is freely accessible during the villa's opening hours. In addition to traditional tours, various events are held at the villa, and it has already been used for weddings.

František Grossmann had the family villa built between 1922 and 1924 as a representative office for his construction firm. The villa is surrounded by a garden, which has also been revitalized. The city originally tried to offer the villa to private investors, but this plan did not succeed, and it ultimately decided to repair the building itself. The villa is located on Na Zapadlém street, not far from the regional office, and is one of the most precious in the city.

Grossmann lived in it with his family for just ten years. Due to the economic crisis and financial problems, he committed suicide in 1933. In the 1960s, the building also served as a school facility, housing a kindergarten and later also a school aftercare. The operation of the villa is managed by the municipal company Černá louka.