Hradec Králové Region will announce a new contract for the renovation of the Dobrošov fortress

Hradec Králové - The Hradec Králové Region will announce a new contract at the beginning of September for the reconstruction of the pre-war border fortress Dobrošov in the Náchod area. The region intends to invest more than 94 million crowns into the repairs of the area. Regional officials informed reporters about this today. Construction work was supposed to start this summer. However, the region canceled the tender because only one construction company applied, which withdrew at its own request.

"For this reason, the regional council had to cancel this public tender at the council meeting on August 6. It still stands that we want to reconstruct the fortress Dobrošov. It is among the important monuments of our history and one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the region," said Governor Jiří Štěpán (ČSSD).

The region wants to start the repairs in the spring of next year. Most of the funds will be used for construction work and approximately 20 million will be allocated for the exhibition procurement and the equipment of the visitor center. About 90 percent of the costs will be covered by a grant from European Union funds. "At this moment, we will be reviewing the project and adjusting the procurement conditions. From November 1, bats will also be wintering in the building, which means we will be forced to start the construction only in mid-April next year. We have to complete the construction by autumn 2020. We do not anticipate that this will jeopardize the grant utilization," said Councillor Václav Řehoř (ODS), responsible for investments and property.

The work will involve the complex of shelters and underground corridors, the entrance hall, and halls with exhibitions. The reconstruction will also affect the staff facilities, access road, and parking lot.

The Hradec Králové Region received the fortress Dobrošov free of charge from the army in 2015; guided tours for visitors are provided by the Náchod Museum. The fortress, which is visited by about 30,000 people annually, is accessible only by appointment from the end of November to the end of March, due to nesting bats the number of visitors is limited. During the season, there is one guided tour route through the fortress's underground, and the Jeřáb building is also exceptionally accessible. "The Náchod Museum currently ensures the operation of the fortress, which is in a state of emergency, to the maximum extent possible so that visitor safety is not compromised. It is open every day during August, except Mondays. In September, it will only be open on weekends and holidays, and October as well," stated Sixtus Bolom-Kotari, director of the Náchod Museum. Several commemorative events are prepared for the autumn, according to him.

The Dobrošov fortress was built to protect the republic against the expanding Nazi Germany together with another border fortification. However, it was not completed before the signing of the Munich Agreement on the cession of border territories of Czechoslovakia to Germany in September 1938.