The repaired fortress Dobrošov will open at the turn of April and May

Hradec Králové – The renovated pre-war fortress Dobrošov in the Náchod area is expected to open to visitors at the turn of April and May this year, just before the start of the tourist season. This was announced by Dan Lechmann, spokesperson for the Hradec Králové Region, to ČTK. The fortress is a national cultural monument and belongs to the region. Its operation is managed by the Náchod Museum.

In December, the region completed the purchase of furniture, audiovisual equipment, and some exhibits. According to Lechmann, the acquisition of period uniforms, weapons, and equipment is ongoing. The acquisition of a total of about 300 items worth 2.5 million crowns is expected to be completed in January.

Construction work on the renovation of the fortress began in June 2019 and was completed last summer. It included the restoration of the Zelený, Můstek, Jeřáb, and Polsko cabins, the repair of underground tunnels, and the creation of barrier-free access. The region also had replicas of original firing positions installed and reconstructed the interiors to resemble those from the period of the fortification's construction. Due to the protection of bats, work was partially halted over the winter.

The project also included the modernization of the existing exhibition and its expansion with new exhibits in both above-ground and underground facilities of the fortress. Builders also expanded and modernized the visitor center, said representatives of the regional government. Hradec Králové Region has owned the fortress since 2015, when it was transferred free of charge from the Czech army.

The region will pay up to 96.3 million crowns including VAT for construction work, including project documentation, construction supervision, and the purchase of furniture and audiovisual equipment. Two-thirds of the costs will be covered by a grant from the Integrated Regional Operational Program (IROP).

Fortress Dobrošov was to defend the state’s borders along with another 12 artillery fortifications. Its construction began on September 13, 1937, and was planned to take two years. It was expected to cost nearly 34 million Czechoslovak crowns. However, workers managed to complete only three of the seven planned structures. Following the Munich events, construction ceased, and the fort remained unfinished.