Description
The project aims to protect and preserve Czech cultural heritage by the renovation and rehabilitation of Saint James´s Church in UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city centre of Kutná Hora. The project continues as another stage of the overall renovation of the church, which started in 2010 and focuses on the rehabilitation of its towers and west frontispiece, thus solving the heavy static breakdowns in the walling of the 85 meters high north tower and in the gothic stone lining damaged by fire. The north frontispiece of the tower also faces serious surface moisture. Wooden and glass window panels are vastly damaged and falling out. During the renovation will be respected all historical constructions and components. As part of the restauration works the tower clock will be repaired. More than 800 000 tourists visit Kutná hora per year and admire its beauty. The renovation of Saint James´s Church, the dominant view point of the city, will contribute to the scenery and most of all to the visitors‘safety. The project is implemented in cooperation with several entities from Czech Republic and with the Association for Employers in the Church of Norway which brings experience in accessing sacral places to visitors with limited range of movement.
Summary of project results
The objective of the project was fulfilled by renovation of the towers and the western façade and the repair of the roof trusses and the roof of the Church of St. Jacob the Elder in Kutná Hora, which is registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO together with the other monuments of the historical center of Kutná Hora. Without funding from the EEA Grants it would not be possible to perform this highly necessary renovation including structural stabilization of the building. Dangerous and demanding restoration was carried out using historical craftsmanship with sensitivity to original structures securing preservation of the monument's nature. An operational construction-historical survey was carried out within the framework of the project, completing the previously known facts by new findings. During the restoration of the stone, laboratories of partner universities were used and the best practices and materials for the restoration were sought. This knowledge will be used for the restoration of other parts of the church as well as of other mussel limestone monuments. Stained glasses, windows, clock dials and a clock machines including transmissions have been restored as well. The security of the space around the towers has improved. Within the framework of the repair and structural stabilization of roof trusses and roofs, the northern tower dome was completely repaired, including a new cross and copper sheet. This 85 m high dominant is visible from distant outskirts of the town. The bulbous finial was repaired and documents describing the tower repair, including information on the EEA Grants, were placed into it. Carpentry constructions including wooden staircases and ceilings of individual floors were repaired in the interior of the tower. The inhabitants of the town, visitors and professionals showed high interest in the project and this was demonstrated by participation at the accompanying program organized within the framework of project - seminars, workshops, celebrations, etc. Students and believers participated in the study of historical materials that were found in the bulbous finial. The outputs of the seminars were made available to the students of the partner universities, construction-historical survey to specialists in monument care and the repaired monument to the general public.
Summary of bilateral results
Norwegian partner was the Association for Employers in the Church of Norway, Department for Church Buildings and Heritage (KA). The partnership primarily focused on the accessibility of historical monuments for people with disabilities; however, the Norwegian partner was continuously informed also about the progress of the project and consulted restoration procedures and other project related matters. The partner took part in the ceremonial opening and closing of the project. The inspection visit of the partner to the Church of St. Jacob the Elder in Kutná Horawas was carried out in 2015. In the framework of the visit a workshop with representatives of KA and other partners was held. The topic of the workshop was evaluation of bilateral cooperation and preparation of the seminar “Religious monuments almost without barriers”. The seminar was held in 2016 with the participation of all partners, professional public, architects, artists, conservationists, representatives of the Association of the Museums and Galleries of the Czech Republic, Technical Museum in Brno and ICOM. The cooperation was further enhanced by realisation of a bilateral initiative within the framework of the bilateral fund on programme level. The initiative focused on the fire protection of the St. Jacob church as well as historical buildings in general. The seminar held in Kutná Hora was attended also by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Czech Republic, Ms. Siri Ellen Sletner. Further cooperation with the Norwegian partner is expected both in preventive conservation and fire protection. Several Czech partners were involved in project implementation as well. Representatives of the Kutná Hora Municipality were involved mainly in project publicity and informed about the project in the town periodicals. A documentary called “We love Kutná Hora” was produced as well. The University of Pardubice organized student excursions, participated in laboratory tests of stone and putties and consulted the results of restoration reports with restorers. A colloquium on the restoration of stone elements and grout mixtures took place in cooperation with University of Technology in Brno and University of Pardubice. UNESCO Czech Heritage collaborated on publishing activities. Bishopric in Hradec Králové provided legal advice.