Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(6):667-680

The rehabilitation of the cloister of the former Dominican Monastery in České Budějovice - 150 years of state heritage care theory and practice of on the example of one quite significant heritage property

Petr Pavelec

NPÚ, ÚPS České Budějovice

The article deals with the project of rehabilitation of the cloister of the former Dominican monastery in České Budějovice in 2004-2015. The text also summarizes and reflects upon, in a broader context, the 150-year-long peripeteia of the theory and practice of heritage care in relation to this remarkable monument.
The architectural values of the originally medieval Dominican monastery in České Budějovice have made it more and more frequently the object of interest of heritage professionals and employees of the newly constituted state heritage care since the mid-19th century. After the year 1860, on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of its foundation, the administration of the monastery started the project of its regothification. During the implementation of the project, state heritage care was represented by the conservationist of the Viennese Central Commission for Research and Conservation of Building Monuments, Professor Jan Erazim Vocel. However, other reputable experts stated an interest in the project's realization, such as the then President of the Central Commission, Josef Alexandr Helfert, or the architect and master builder of the St. Stephen's Dome in Vienna, Friedrich Schmidt and his student Josef Mocker.
Other monumental activities took place in the monastery complex and its cloister after 1893 under the supervision of the art historian and conservator of the Central Committee, Josef Braniš. In contrast to his predecessors, who held the characteristic purist principles of heritage care, Braniš showed more understanding in repairs to the monastery in preserving more than merely its medieval architectural elements and furnishings. This was partly due to the views of modern heritage care as represented by the art historian and later general conservationist of the Central Committee, Alois Riegel.
In 1908, Professor František Valentin Schmidt replaced Josef Braniš as Central Committee conservationist. Regarding the building modifications and restoration of wall paintings in the cloister, he held a more pragmatic attitude and more accommodating to the operational requirements of the administration of the monastery than its predecessor. This eventually led him into a conflict of opinion with the then provincial conservationist, Rudolf Hönigschmid, and with the interested public. He resigned in 1912.
A remarkable rehabilitation project of the cloister, in heritage terms, was also prepared for the 700th anniversary of the city's foundation in 1965. Its goal was to remove the younger partitions dividing the cloister space, restoring the stone elements, and other work with the intention of rehabilitating and opening the entire cloister to the public. The realization of the project was negatively affected by the socio-political and economic circumstances of the period, however, especially the lack of qualified suppliers of construction and restoration works as well as the ideological intervention of the state authorities. In the end, the planned work was completed only partially.
After repeated unsuccessful attempts to complete the project of the cloister's rehabilitation in the 1980's and 1990's, it was fully realized only between 2004 and 2015. The church depository was gradually cleared in the eastern wing of the cloister, the partitions in the east and west wing of the cloister were demolished, newly discovered mural paintings and architectural features were restored, the floors were reconstructed, and other important repairs were carried out. Thus was created a rehabilitated area of the cloister which now reflects the rich history of the monastery and which provides an inspirational environment for spiritual and cultural activities of various kinds.

Keywords: České Budějovice, Dominican monastery, cloister, heritage care, Central Commission for Research and Care for Building Monuments, restoration, rehabilitation

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation