The repair of the Valdštejn Lodge near Jičín will be more expensive

Jičín – The repair of the Baroque Valdštejn Lodge near Jičín will be almost three million crowns more expensive than expected. The reason is the poor condition of the masonry and beams, which was discovered only during the reconstruction. The construction is now projected to cost 30 million crowns including VAT. The reconstruction is part of the Czech-Polish project Path of the Valdštejn Architects, which is supported by a European grant. Jan Jireš, spokesman for the town hall, told ČTK today.

The repair began at the end of 2019 and concerns buildings in the northeastern part of the complex, namely the so-called Honorary Court. Builders will repair eight rooms, basement spaces, staircases, and the entrance portal to the basement. They will build a multipurpose hall equipped with audiovisual technology, retractable seating, a cloakroom, facilities, several foyers, and a storage area. Everything should be completed by spring 2022.

During the demolition, builders discovered that the masonry of the walls is significantly heterogeneous and the walls are statically unstable. "Some parts need to be removed and rebuilt. In the area of the former black kitchen, defects in the vault were found, which need to be statically secured. It is also necessary to repair the historically valuable plaster that is present here," Jireš stated, adding that all adjustments are made in consultation with conservationists.

The aim of the Czech-Polish project is to highlight and revive monuments from the time of Albrecht von Wallenstein in the Jičín region and in the neighboring Polish town of Kłodzko. Although the project mainly focuses on the reconstruction of the lodge and the Polish castle Gorzanów, it also includes the promotion of other monuments, such as the Humprecht and Náchod castles and the museum in Kłodzko.

The lodge was commissioned in the 17th century by Albrecht von Wallenstein as his representative suburban villa with a garden and park. However, the complex was never finished. The lodge stands below Mount Zebín on the edge of the administrative district of Sedličky, connected to the city center by a two-kilometer linden alley.

Thirty years ago, the lodge was nearly in ruins. Since then, the city has invested around 80 million crowns into repairs. The town hall was the first to repair the roof of the lodge in 1990. Further improvements have included new restrooms, roof repairs, sections of plaster renovation, and wall repairs in the park. Cultural events at the lodge are organized by the Valdštejnské imaginárium association.