The nunnery built in 1721–1729 operated until 1835, and by the beginning of the 21st century fell into complete decay: the outer walls were destroyed, holes were gaping in the vaults and walls of the partially survived basilica, so there was a real danger of their collapse. How to return this historical object to the city was completely incomprehensible.
Now there is a multifunctional social and cultural space with a spacious auditorium, and in the near future it is planned to place a historical archive in the upper part of the building.
The work took eight years. The architect David Klozes, who was previously known mainly for large urban planning projects, carefully preserved and strengthened everything that remained of the monument. He, of course, added new elements, but these constructions so obviously came here from a completely different world that the folded image of the object is surprisingly not affected.
Uneven, ribbed surfaces of natural stone coexist with perfectly smooth concrete and glass surfaces. And tiny windows - with solid glazing surfaces flooded with light. Moreover, it was precisely the “preserved” destruction that made it possible to let light into the inner space and make it more open and human.
Elements of artificial lighting help to complete the conceived. They are positioned so as to provide maximum brightness even in the most remote corners of the interior, without disturbing the overall geometry of the space.
The system of stairs and ramps allows you to make an almost circular tour of the former church and view all the preserved historical parts from the most successful angles. So the reanimated monument is also correctly demonstrated.
L. M.