Right up until the 1990s, Mariánská Street was a dismal “sight” in the historical centre of the town. The former centre of medieval Litomyšl, from ancient times known as via publica, was hidden under a crumbling layer of tarmac, and along its eastern border there were various buildings of varying heights and predominantly of low value, as well as garages and vacant plots. Its cultural appearance and dignity were partly restored when the street was paved with stone sets between 2005 and 2007 during modifications to the Laundry Rinse (01-VP8).
The street was significantly improved thanks to a singular private investment by the well-known gallery owner active in Litomyšl, Zdeněk Sklenář. He bought a neglected, slightly raised, square, 10 x 10 metre piece of land – 1 are – with the intention of transforming it into a quiet public space for contemplation and art. The design project was carried out by the prominent Czech architect Josef Pleskot.
According to the designer's own words, the direct inspiration was, “a vision of relaxing in the shade of an olive tree somewhere in the Mediterranean”. The pre-existing plum tree, which the architect pruned to the ideal shape himself, “placed itself” in the centre of the square garden and became its dominant element. The “only” additions to the minimalist concept of the space were a rounded granite stone for seating and a well – “a water vessel”, “a calm surface mirroring heaven” – designed by Václav Cigler. The peaceful, intimate atmosphere of the space is enhanced by a low, wooden fence made of old vertically arranged planks. Along the edges of the entrance gate, situated in the axis of the space, there is a unique inscription “1ar(t)”. This was designed by the graphic artist Aleš Najbrt and represents 1 are for art.
