THE ST. CYRIL AND METHODIUS HOUSE IN VELEHRAD WAS CEREMONIALLY OPENED

13. 06. 2011

Velehrad, 13 June 2011 – Today, the multifunctional Velehrad House of St. Cyril and Methodius, which came into existence through the reconstruction of the former farm buildings of the granary and stables of the Velehrad monastery, was ceremonially opened in the presence of the Olomouc archbishop, Jan Graubner, representatives of the state administration and partners.

The reconstruction implemented under the project: Velehrad – the centre for East-West cultural dialogue, financed from the funds of the European Fund for Regional Development under the Integrated Operational Programme for 2007 – 2013, cost CZK 95 million (including VAT).  Because Velehrad is a bearer of the Cyril-Methodius tradition, the newly constructed centre was named the Velehrad House of St. Cyril and Methodius (VHCM).

The goal of the project is to develop a modern network of interrelated social, educational, cultural and excursion services in the territory of Velehrad. The reconstruction of the buildings of the former granary and stables was commenced in March 2010 by the winner of the competitive tender procedure – OHL ŽS, a.s. The completed complex introduces a substantial change in the overall concept of the logistic system of the Velehrad pilgrimage premises thanks to the establishment of a multifunctional centre with a new services organisational structure. It absorbs activities that are not always directly related to the sacral function of the basilica and its immediate surroundings.

The information centre of VHCM coordinates all of the activities and mediation of cultural, excursion and educational activities. It cooperates with the parish, the Velehrad Museum and the Stojanov Pilgrimage and Spiritual Exercises House, the Stojanov Grammar School, and other entities. Thanks to the multifunctional centre, the pilgrimage premises offer completely new services in the newly established refreshment shop with confectionery and an adjacent book store. Sanitary facilities with a sufficient  capacity are also available.

The building of the former stables is intended for the museum (gallery) of the Bible and a part of the future permanent exposition titled “Velehrad at the Crossroads of European History”. Its other exhibits will be installed in the basement of the convent and the basilica. The renewed Velehrad museum will gradually perform the classic museum activities relating to the place of pilgrimage and the Velehrad tradition. It will also systematically prepare educational and cultural offers for local as well as foreign clients. Thus, it will become a centre of education, Bible studies and religious and cultural dialogue for various target groups, especially schools.

It will offer the full range of its services in 2013 when all of the expositions are completed. However, visitors to Velehrad will already be able to use the refreshment shop with confectionery, the book store and the information centre during this year’s season. The exhibition halls are also already prepared to introduce new archaeological discoveries and the process of the reconstruction of the former farm buildings of the granary and stables as well as of the pilgrimage premises at the moment.

The former farm buildings also put the finishing touches to the overall character of Velehrad, making up another of its prominent features. Therefore, no new annexed buildings were built as a part of their reconstruction. Architects and builders together with preservation of monuments staff took care to preserve valuable details, especially on the surface of the building.  However, concurrently with this, it was necessary to meet some criteria required for the new functions of the buildings. “Every reconstruction is more demanding than creating a new building in terms of constructional work. Velehrad, where history breathes from every wall, was not any different,” said Ing. Tomáš Nossek, CEO of Division 1 Brno of the Surface Construction Branch OHL ŽS, a.s., today.

The authors of the architectural design, Jan and Michaela Dvořák, also made an effort to apply new technologies and materials. The attention of visitors is sure to be attracted by the reinforced-concrete ribbed floor and the book store gallery, or the generous arched space of the former stables.

“After their reconstruction, the buildings of the former granary and stables are the point of departure on the journey to get to know the cultural and spiritual wealth of Velehrad. Should Velehrad become a place where one can rest in today’s hurried world, the Velehrad House of St. Cyril and Methodius will create dignified conditions fit for that,” said Petr Přádka, the Velehrad parish priest.

The European Fund for Regional Development will contribute the maximum sum of CZK 293.961 million to this project implementation, which makes up 85 % of the eligible expenses, and the maximum subsidy from the state budget is CZK 51.876  million.