The rules of visiting Aula Leopoldinum
Autor:
Kamilla Jasińska
Data Publikacji:
06.07.2017
The renovation of the matroneum in the Aula Leopoldinum has been continuously carried out since the end of February. Thanks to prof. Rudolf Lenz’s intercession, the first phase, which covered the conservation of the wooden balustrade and three window niches, was financed from the Federal Government Representative for Culture and Media funds. The work ended at the beginning of July. There will be no break in the renovation. The next phase of work, covering the conservation of the vault painting above the gallery, all of the sculptures within the matroneum, the moulding, and the fourth window niche, began on Monday, 9 July. The cost of the work is estimated at about PLN 1 million. It will be financed from the municipal funds that were allocated to the Foundation for the University of Wrocław through the competition organised by the City’s Historic Preservation Officer of Wrocław. The matroneum’s construction will be reinforced at the same time. This part of the renovation will be funded by the Marshal’s Office of Lower Silesia Voivodeship (PLN 100 thousand) and by the University of Wrocław (PLN 40 thousand). The company ANTIQA Pracownia Konserwacji Dzieł Sztuki Wit Podczerwiński z Myślenic (Conservation of Works of Art by Wit Podczerwiński from Myślenice), Małopolskie voivodeship, is the main contractor of the works. The company was also responsible for carrying out the last year’s complex restoration of the dais. Since February, restorers from ANTiQA have been working on the matroneum and the window niches.
The renovation will be continued until the end of the year. No celebrations will be held in the Aula during the ongoing conservation work. For safety reasons, there will be new rules of visiting. For the next few days, tourists will not be able to visit the Aula because the scaffolding has to be set up and secured.
THE RULES OF VISITING THE AULA LEOPOLDINUM FROM JULY TO DECEMBER, 2017
- Tourists who have a ticket for another part of the Museum of the University of Wrocław will be able to visit the Aula for free. (e.g., a ticket for any two rooms + the Aula for free).
- For safety reasons, the number of visitors is limited to 50 people.
- Talking is not allowed (the guides of the organised groups should provide the tourists with all the necessary information before entering the Aula).
- Taking photographs of the restores working in the Aula is not allowed.
- Taking photographs using a flash is not allowed.
Carrying out the complex restoration of the historic decor of the Aula Leopoldinum was the project’s main aim, which began in 2008 and was planned for several years. The total cost is estimated at about PLN 9 million. It would not be possible to begin the conservation without the support of local government institutions as well as national and international foundations. Until now, the largest subsidy of nearly PLN 3 million was granted to the Foundation for the University of Wrocław by the Municipality of Wrocław.
At the end of 2017, the multistage restoration should cover one-third of the planned activities. For technological reasons, further work should be continued without major breaks. The Foundation for the University of Wrocław still needs about PLN 5,8 million to restore the Aula Leopoldinum to its full splendour.
THE SCHEDULE OF WORKS IN THE AULA LEOPOLDINUM
2008–2009
conservation and construction research; creation of the conservation and construction plan as well as the execution designs
cost: nearly PLN 1 million
source of financing: own resources of the University of Wrocław
June – December 2015
conservation, restoration and reinforcement of the ceiling construction above the Aula
cost: nearly PLN 1 million
source of financing: a subsidy granted by the Municipality of Wrocław
July – December 2016
complex conservation of the dais
cost: nearly PLN 1 million
source of financing: a subsidy granted by the Municipality of Wrocław
March – June 2017
conservation of the balustrade and three window niches within the matroneum
cost: nearly PLN 200 thousand
source of financing: funds of the Federal Government Representative for Culture and Media
July – December 2017
conservation of the vault above the gallery
cost: nearly PLN 1 million
source of financing: a subsidy granted by the Municipality of Wrocław
July – December 2017
conservation, restoration and reinforcement of the construction of the gallery
cost: nearly PLN 140 thousand
source of financing: a subsidy granted by the Marshal’s Office of Lower Silesia Voivodeship (PLN 100 thousand) and own resources of the University of Wrocław
Translated by Justyna Janik (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
