Karlovy Vary will spend eight million crowns on the restoration of the Mill Colonnade

KARLOVY VARY - Karlovy Vary will allocate more than eight million crowns from the budget next year for the next stage of the gradual restoration of the historic Mill Colonnade. The money will be used mainly for modernizing the social facilities for spa guests. Also scheduled for repair at the turn of the year is the Zítkův pavilion, which is part of the colonnade, at an estimated cost of about half a million crowns. Tomáš Hybner, the deputy mayor, informed ČTK today.
Before the start of the new spa season, the current inadequate interiors of public restrooms are to be changed. Barrier-free areas will also be created here. The reconstruction will also affect all utilities, ventilation, and heating systems, which will be connected directly to the geothermal source. "In the Zítkův pavilion, it is necessary to repair all windows and doors so that it can potentially be transformed into a café in the future," said Hybner.
Since 2001, the city has spent nearly 59 million crowns in various stages on the restoration of the Mill Colonnade. Of this, about six million crowns came from state grants. The most expensive were the second and third stages, during which the structural elements of the colonnade were also restored. "The restoration of the main terrace, balustrades, and stone sculptures, as well as the installation of heating systems and the stabilization of the rock massif behind the colonnade, cost about 36 million crowns," added Hybner.
The Mill Colonnade, which is the most sought-after of all four Karlovy Vary spa colonnades (along with the Market, Sadová, and Vřídelní), was built between 1871 and 1881. Its design was created by architect Josef Zítek. The section by the Rock Spring was completed in 1892. The outer balustrade is adorned with sculptures of the twelve months. Six out of 14 medicinal thermal springs emerge in the colonnade area.