A reader informed us that the demolition of the old pottery on Widok Street in Bolesławiec had begun. And indeed, only the 19th-century kiln with its entire heating system and chimney remains on the site. – All of this will be preserved – assures istotne.pl in a conversation with Anna Bober-Tubaj, director of the Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec.
We previously reported that the Centre for Historic Pottery Techniques would be built where the old pottery stood. Unfortunately, this concept fell through for a prosaic reason – the current costs of construction projects. What will happen to the very valuable kiln and chimney? There is a new concept, which envisages moving them to the Museum of Ceramics building on Kutuzowa Street, for which the municipal institution has obtained the permission of the historic monuments conservator.
The kiln and chimney will stand in the courtyard of the aforementioned building. As the chimney is somewhat crooked, it may be slightly lowered. The 19th-century monument will, of course, be accessible to visitors. – You will be able to see it, touch it and feel the spirit of the era – announces A. Bober-Tubaj. – We even plan to allow visitors to enter the kiln.
She adds: – We are very pleased that this valuable historic monument will be saved – unlike other historic kilns in Bolesławiec. The title “capital of ceramics” obliges us to take care of industrial heritage as well.
Why will the kiln and chimney be moved specifically to Kutuzowa Street? As it turns out, the Museum in Bolesławiec will have two buildings at its disposal: the Pückler Palace on Zgorzelecka Street and… the aforementioned building on Kutuzowa Street, rather than – as we previously reported – the building on Mickiewicza Street.
The building on Kutuzowa Street will be renovated. (The historic section inside has not been renovated for 30 years.) The aim is to make it more energy efficient.
The Museum of Ceramics is getting ready to move
Very soon, within two or three weeks, both currently operating buildings of the Museum in Bolesławiec will be closed. The reason? The institution is scheduled to move to the Pückler Palace and prepare arrangements for new permanent and temporary exhibitions.
And although this will be a considerable logistical challenge, director Anna Bober-Tubaj assures us that the Museum’s educators will continue to organize workshops and activities for children and young people, except that they will take place either at the Tourist Information Point or in schools and preschools. Older children will also continue to be offered rallies and trips around Bolesławiec.
We will return to this topic.