Description
With the aim to protect and preserve Czech national cultural heritage, this project supports completion of more than 30 years long renovation of the Convent Complex of St. Agnes of Bohemia, the coronation place of Czech kings. Vast exteriors with unique cultural, educational and leisure potential still remain idle. Thanks to the project this gothic jewel in the very heart of Prague´s Old Town will undergo the renovation of arcades in the monastery of the Minorites with adjacent convent and its statues and stone collections. Renovated archaeological area will extend current tour circuit and will also serve as a home of new exhibition dedicated to the history of the convent and its patron. The park reclamation will newly connect the gardens with the river bank opening the entire complex to public. In cooperation with the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research the renovation will be consulted and exhibits will be prepared. Czech Technical University will assist with 3-D laser scanning of historical architecture for the purposes of the exhibitions. A unique dance performance created for the venue by Stiftelsen herStay foundation will be presented.
Summary of project results
The project objective was fulfilled and the project promoter expects to meet the long-term impact and benefits of the project. The implementation of the project leads to a more comprehensive presentation of the monument. The outputs of the project included construction and reconstruction works and creation of exposition and museum infrastructure. They have resulted in revitalized national cultural monument - interiors and exteriors of the convent of St. Agnes an in the restoration of collections. The area of expositions, including the exposition of sculptures and lapidarium was extended, degradation of the archaeological site in the area of the national cultural monument was terminated, accompanying publications and educational materials to the premises, foreign language versions and special publications and expositions intended for children were created. The outputs are mainly intended for the main target group represented by visitors to historical monuments and memorial institutions. Since one of the project's objectives was to make the former convent gardens accessible, the range of visitors to the convent was expanded to those who associate the visit with leisure activities. The connection to the users of the public space (e.g. residents, families with children) and the inclusion of special activities in the building also for the handicapped was strengthened. The following are expected: popularization of the national cultural monument, increase of lay and professional interest in this national cultural heritage, balance between the unique significance of the monument, its status and presentation, and the use of outdoor areas for the public, extension of green area and relaxation zone in the center of Prague.
Summary of bilateral results
The project objectives were achieved in cooperation with two donor partners: Norsk Institut for Kulturminneforskning (NIKU) and Stiftelsen herStay fundational (herStay). NIKU participated in the expert parts of the project including presentation at a colloquium on the issue of modern methods of documentation of monuments and the possibilities of presentation of their results in exhibitions. The dancing performance of the herStay played a significant role in the publicity of the project. The performances created directly for the premises of the St. Agnes convent were inspired by the spirituality of the Clarisse nuns and the personality of St. Agnes and offered a new perspective on the possible interpretation of the genius loci to the general public. Both project partners were addressed at a seminar organized during the preparatory phase of the project application. Continuing cooperation with the project partners will be part of the sustainability activities related to outcomes of the project. Therefore the project promoter maintains established contacts and informs partners about sustainability activities. The partnership was very beneficial to the project. The publicity of the project was significantly strengthened by organization of a colloquium on which the experience of specialists from NIKU was presented. Repeated performances of the herStay group within the museum night and grant opening night have helped to increase the impact of publicity; references to these performances have been taken over by national media and are presented on the internet.