Letohrad is requesting funding for the third time for the renovation of the park and orangery

Letohrad - Letohrad in the Orlickoústecká region is applying for European grants for the third time for the revitalization of the castle park, which also includes the restoration of the orangery. If unsuccessful, the restoration, costing 20 million crowns, will be ensured from the budget, but it will take much longer. This was stated by Deputy Mayor Martin Hatka (Association for Letohrad).

"We hope that we have addressed all the shortcomings that the evaluators pointed out in the application," Hatka said. The city will learn the results in the spring. If successful, the restoration will take two seasons, but if it does not receive the grant, the town hall will deal with the park's transformation for several years, Hatka added.

The orangery is currently mainly used as a storage. The city plans a permanent exhibition of exotic plants, citrus trees, cacti, and bonsai, and a breeders' association will have parrots and other exotic birds there.

"We are already looking for a gardener for the orangery, and the park will also require more care, with more plants and shrubs. We repaired the roof of the orangery last year because it was in very poor condition," Hatka said.

The city is applying for a grant under the Czech-Polish cooperation program, and it can receive up to 85 percent of eligible costs. It plans to treat old trees and plant new species. The project also includes the reconstruction of the perimeter retaining wall, restoration of sandstone sculptures, including an observation point and an artificial cave.

The Letohrad Castle, dating from the second half of the 17th century, is early Baroque. It was rebuilt from an older fortress. The castle is adjacent to an English park from 1820 to 1830, featuring a fountain, an artificial cave 25 meters long, an Empire-style gazebo, and a lookout over Podměstí. Originally, there was a pond in the area of the park.