At the Dobříš Castle, a extensive restoration of the French park has been completed

Dobříš – A large-scale reconstruction of the French park has been completed at the castle in Dobříš in the Příbram region. The retaining walls, pathways, and irrigation system have been repaired, new greenery has been added, and the sculptural decorations have been restored. The costs reached 98 million crowns, most of which were covered by an EU grant. The owners from the Colloredo-Mannsfeld family added another ten million beyond the project amount, said the castle director Pavel Krejcárek to ČTK.

For example, the retaining walls had to be practically rebuilt because their static condition was, according to Krejcárek, catastrophic. All railings also needed to be restored. Additional investments were made in gravel pathways, as the originals had no base, in exterior lighting, and partially in irrigation.

The orangery underwent significant restoration, where citrus fruits were previously cultivated. It received a new roof, completely new wiring, flooring, and heating. A floor was added in the interior to increase the exhibition space.

In the future, a stone sculpting workshop is planned to be established in the orangery, where the sculptural decoration of the castle park by František Ignác Placer will be restored. Exhibitions about water, the history of the orangery, and possibly about the Colloredo-Mannsfeld family are also planned. The castle management is also negotiating with artist Emilia Milerová, the widow of the creator of the animated mole Zdeněk Miler, about the establishment of a studio that would be named after her.

The park reconstruction took 2.5 years and involved 11 companies. However, several years of preparations preceded the project, and it is not yet definitively finished, as work is still ongoing on the restoration of the illusory painting on the north wall of the orangery. It is expected to be completed next October.

Visitors can already access the repaired park, which is open every day. However, the orangery is still closed to the public. It will open next year, but it might be the case that some of its parts will be operational sooner.

The Rococo castle with a prominent facade was originally in the hands of the Colloredo-Mannsfeld family; after World War II, it became cultural property of the state and was used as a Writers' Home. It is currently owned again by the Colloredo-Mannsfeld family and is also open to the public, which can choose from several tour circuits. The castle also includes a hotel and restaurant, weddings and concerts are held there, and it is also sought after by filmmakers.