The renovated Vuk and Dositej Museum, with the new standing exhibition, could open its door to visitors in mid-September. Our reporter Tihana Pavicevic has talked to conservation architect Zoran Mihajlovic from the National Museum, who is in charge of the project of restoration, reconstruction and sanitation of the Vuk and Dositej Museum.
Speaking of the works on the edifice from 1739, Mihajlovic says that the crew that has been realizing the reconstruction and restoration has come upon some new information, which has not been recorded previously in history books. In that context, new findings had to be studied and written, so a team of archaeologists has been activated, thus leading to delay in the completion of the works. According to our collocutor, archaeological exploration was done in some zones of the edifice, in order to learn more about the history of the building. It resulted in finding out that the outer wall is much older than recorded in the books, which is important information for every architect.
During the excavations on the location of the museum, the archaeologists have found layers of Austro-Hungarian architecture in the crown area. Mihajlovic has explained that after the first phase of the sanitation and adaptation of this beautiful cultural monument, the second stage included the indoor works in the facility of the former lyceum and in the fireplace room. Besides the architectural and construction works, this phase also encompassed the introduction of a new heating system, which was hard because the installations are on the old building. According to Zoran Mihajlovic, after the works on the Vuk and Dositej Museum, “this house will be capable of receiving its visitors for the next six decades without any problems, with regards to construction”.
He has reminded our listeners that upon the completion of all the works, the facility of the former lyceum will still be the place where the lives and work of Dositej Obradovic and Vuk Karadzic will be presented, along with the history of the Grand School building itself. On the other hand, the fireplace room will host thematic exhibitions and other activities of the museum, which will continue to attract many visitors.
Having in mind that the scale of the works is so large, Mihajlovic has pointed that if the finances allow, next year the architectural decoration of the museum yard will be realized, which should contribute to better looks of the edifice, as well as to attract more visitors.