A dream come true, the restoration continues
On Tuesday, 23 January, the effects of the next stage of conservation work carried out in the Aula Leopoldinum were presented to the representatives of the city and local authorities. “Even though, in today’s world, dreams rarely come true, mine did” – says enthusiastically prof. Adam Jezierski, the rector of the University of Wrocław. He also adds that the Aula Leopoldinum is a deposit passed down by previous generations.
Autor:
Kamilla Jasińska
Data Publikacji:
23 sty 2018
The comprehensive multistage conservation of the Aula Leopoldinum is a project spread over time for technological and organisational reasons and financial ones. The total cost is estimated at about PLN 9 million. Over PLN 4 million has already been spent on the restoration work carried out in recent years, covering one-third of the planned activities.
Exactly 10 years ago, in 2018, it was decided to begin the research on the Aula Leopoldinum which would determine the actual condition of the ceiling, the construction of the matroneum, and the decor. The result of the cooperation of several dozen experts of various specialities was “The Final Report of the Research Work”. This 8-volume study became a basis for planning further activities. In the following years, the University financed many other expertises and the creation of the execution designs. The total cost of all these activities funded by the University of Wrocław is estimated at about PLN 1 million.
It would not be possible to begin and continue the conservation work in Aula Leopoldinum without the support of external institutions. The most urgent task was to reinforce the ceiling. The subsidy of nearly PLN 1 million granted in 2015 by the Municipality of Wrocław from the funds for the cultural heritage preservation in Wrocław enabled to begin work in this field.
During the restoration from the side of Auditorium Comicum carried out from June to December, 2015, workers built the independent construction of the ceiling. Thanks to this construction, the loads are not transmitted onto the false barrel vault, which is the frame for the paintings in the Aula Leopoldinum, and the vibrations, which had a destructive impact on the Aula’s decor, were minimised.
The most spectacular work began in 2016. Yet again, the Municipality of Wrocław showed a great involvement in the project, granting nearly PLN 1 million for the complex conservation of the dais.
The restoration was carried out at express pace, from July to December, 2016. It covered the vault’s monumental painting and the walls, sculptures, mouldings, cladding made from coloured stucco marbling, woodcarving elements, furniture, and the dais. During the ongoing renovation, the Aula was available to visitors. Due to the fact that it was possible to observe the restorers’ work with one’s own eyes, the Aula was visited by over 140 thousand tourists. For comparison, in 2015, it was over 100 thousand.
As soon as the restoration of the dais was completed, the work within the matroneum began. In this part of the Aula, renovation was carried out in three phases. The first phase lasted from the end of February to June, 2017, and covered the restoration of the wooden balustrade, the bust standing on it, and three large window niches within the matroneum (two from the side of Oder and one from the side of pl.Uniwersytecki). It was possible to carry out this work thanks to Rudolf Lenz – a philologist, historian, professor at the Philipps University of Marburg, the University of Wrocław’s doctor honoris causa, who, for many years, has been involved in the restoration of monuments of Lower Silesia and is still tirelessly seeking funds from German governmental and non-governmental institutions. Thanks to prof. Lenz’s intercession, this phase of renovation was financed from the funds of the Federal Government Representative for Culture and Media. The cost is estimated at about PLN 200 thousand.
It covered the conservation of the vault above the balcony, figures of the atlantes with pilasters, and the last large window niche within the matroneum. This phase of renovation, yet again, was completed thanks to the subsidy of nearly PLN 1 million, donated to the Foundation for the University of Wrocław by the Municipality of Wrocław.
At the same time, the third phase of renovation was carried out. It covered the conservation and reinforcement of the construction of the gallery. The work was mostly financed from the government’s funds of Lower Silesia, which allocated PLN 100 thousand for this purpose. Another PLN 40 thousand was the University’s own contribution.
The company ANTIQA Pracownia Konserwacji Dzieł Sztuki Wit Podczerwiński z Myślenic (Conservation of Works of Art by Wit Podczerwiński from Myślenice) was the main contractor of the works. The conservators’ great commitment enabled the restoration of the Aula to its former spendor.
Jerzy Michalak, a member of the Lower Silesia Voivodeship’s management board, admitted that: “The Aula Leopoldinum is a place that should shine with the brightest light”. He added also that the local authorities were glad that they could support the restoration of the Aula. “It will be a great responsibility, but also a great honour and a privilege to support the next phase of the renovation”.
He also emphasized that the University of Wrocław is the largest beneficiary of the municipal funds to preserve the city’s cultural heritage. The vice president acknowledged that the more renovated historical buildings around the University appeared in Wrocław, the more remorseful he felt about the condition of the Aula Leopoldinum. “We were able to break the deadlock by looking for the solutions. There is no greater joy than to see the effects of the renovation work” – he added. The vice president also made a declaration: “There is no need to keep ourselves in suspense. The University can count on the city’s support”. Thus, it became clear that the Foundation for the University of Wrocław will receive the subsidy that will enable restorers to begin work in the auditorium. The vice president praised the new website dedicated to the conservation work in the Aula [www.uni.wroc.pl/konserwacja-auli]. He added that it is extremely important to gather information, interesting testimonies, and fun facts for next generations.”
Agata Chmielowska, the City’s Historic Preservation Officer of Wrocław, appreciated the work of restorers who renovated the matroneum and the dais: “The quality of restoration is excellent. I am really proud that this task has been realised so well. […] We are lucky that the restoration of the Aula is in the hands of such excellent conservators. The effects are outstanding” – she said. Chmielowska added that it would be great if the team of restorers from Kraków could work more often in Wrocław because their cooperation is at the highest level. Concluding the comprehensive conservation project of the Aula, Chmielowska said: “It is the event that will go down in the history of Wrocław conservation”.
In 2018, the University would like to realise three tasks. It will cover the costs of the conservation and modernisation of the windows. A motion for funding the restoration of ten polychromies of the window niches within the auditorium as well as the walls, the soffit, and the historical furnishing below the gallery has been submitted to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The Foundation for the University of Wrocław is also applying for a grant from the Municipality of Wrocław, which would finance the conservation of the lodges in the auditorium. During the Tuesday press conference, the vice president of Wrocław – Adam Grehl – declared that, yet again, the city is going to support financially the restoration of the Aula Leopoldinum.
Restorers agree that the renovation of the Aula is one of the most interesting conservation challenges of the beginning of the 21st century. That is a reason why a special website dedicated to the project was created.
Kamila Jasińska
Translated by Justyna Janik (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
