The dilapidated castle in Zdislavice is likely awaiting renovation after years

Troubky-Zdislavice (Kroměříž region) - The dilapidated castle in Zdislavice in the Kroměříž region has changed owners after many years. It was purchased by the company Chapel Invest from Modřice near Brno, which already owns and is renovating the castle in Morkovice. This was reported to ČTK by the mayor of Troubky-Zdislavice, Marie Šestáková, and the property manager of Chapel Invest, Petr Mísař, confirmed the transaction.

The owner is originally from Austria and has a connection to this place due to the writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach. "In German-speaking countries, she is perceived similarly to how we view Božena Němcová," Mísař told ČTK today. The German-speaking writer and native of Zdislavice came from the Dubský family of Třebomyslice, who owned the local castle. She is buried in the family vault not far from it.

The castle itself was built on the site of a stone fortress at the end of the 17th century. It was modified into its current form by Count Dubský in the 1840s. According to Mísař, one of the directors of Baťa's factories, Josef Hlavnička, acquired the castle in the first half of the 20th century. However, after 1948, the family moved to Brazil, and the castle was nationalized by the communists, becoming an institution for the mentally handicapped.

As late as 1999, there were 90 residents there, but the following year they moved elsewhere. The Hlavnička family regained the castle after 1990 through restitution, and the state paid them rent for accommodating the institution. After the departure of the mentally handicapped, the castle was left empty and began to deteriorate. It was on offer with real estate agencies until last July. Mísař did not want to comment on the price. The castle was offered for about 20 million crowns.

The castle features two original staircases and a large hall. Each floor has about 20 rooms and sanitary facilities. There is a large park with rare trees adjacent to the castle. "It was in a deplorable state. We have already cleaned everything; half of the park has new fencing, and we have even sown grass. This year we want to finish the park and the fencing," Mísař stated. After that, the castle's renovation will follow. According to Mísař, its condition reflects the fact that no one had lived in it for many years and it hadn’t been heated.

"Next year we want to repair the roof, where we have only patched the largest holes for now. After that, we will gradually restore the castle. Something must also be done about the dampness," Mísař added. He believes it is premature to talk about the use of the castle at this time. However, there will certainly be some reminder of Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, Mísař added.

According to Šestáková, the municipality would be glad if the park and the castle could be made accessible to the public. According to Mísař, this will not be possible in the near future. The writer’s tomb, which was also not in good condition, is being gradually restored by the non-profit Czech National Trust. They aim to complete the work by 2020. According to the mayor, it is positive that someone has finally started to take care of the long-neglected monument. "It means a lot to us," concluded the mayor of Troubky-Zdislavice.