Protection of cultural heritage – renovation of the Basilica and the works of art

The biggest challenge was undoubtedly the building’s technical condition. One of the key problems was high moisture level in external walls and a clogged rainwater system. This resulted in high humidity in the Basilica, which had a negative impact on the monuments and significantly accelerated their destruction. The fence was also renovated at the time of drying of moist walls.

The second most urgent problem was the condition of the cathedral roofing. The rafter framing destroyed by insects was also renovated. The roof gaps were removed and the corroded steel reinforcements of the ceiling beams were repaired. The tower, whose steel structure had also been corroded, its moulded and rotted wooden elements, and finally the poorly maintained entrance to the top of the tower were repaired. After the completion of these major construction works, builders carried out further finishing works, adapting the huge attic to an exhibition area, which will present technical monuments that were previously inaccessible to the public.

The next stage of the works includes modernisation of the outdated electrical installation. Its poor technical condition makes it impossible to install a new lighting system that could properly expose valuable monuments located in the church. The basilica, as a very large facility, is a major challenge in this respect. The new system will not only illuminate the works of sacred art, but will also bring out and emphasize architectural values of the building's exterior and interior elements.

Repairs will be completed with the installation of modern fire-fighting and anti-breaking systems.

Parallel to the repair works, actions were taken to renovate mobile monuments within the Basilica. Although conservation works (carried out mainly on the Baroque altars and Gothic stalls) have been going on for many years, the scale of needs is still very large. Therefore, in addition to the renovation of the building, the project also provides for the restoration of a number of works, thus supporting the activities of the Diocese and the Provincial Conservator.

The most important work renovated as part of the project, is the monumental front of the Baroque side organs in the southern transept-arm. The organ front, one of the most beautiful in northern Europe, was already in a poor condition – there were numerous structural damages, the wood was degraded, soft to the touch and decaying. Gold and silver plating, as well as polychromies were damaged, chipped and with numerous defects.

The next works of art, which are undergoing conservation work, are six Rococo (18^th century) and Neo-Rococo (19^th century) confessionals, which due to structural damage became dangerously unstable and were on the verge of collapse. The works are scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of next year (2020).

The renovation of two Baroque side altars is scheduled to be completed at the same time: the altars of St. Adalbert and St. John of Nepomuk. The works of famous Czech stucco decorators from Prague from the middle of the 18^th century are a pair of almost identical altars, made mainly of stucco and distinguished by the richness of their sculptural decoration. Both were heavily soiled, with a cracked and disintegrated surface, and almost entirely abraded gold on the bases and capitals of the columns.

The last monuments restored as part of the project are stained-glass windows located under the vault of the main nave and the chancel. The windows dating back to the end of the 19^th century were already on the verge of collapse. The works are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.