The park at the Kačina Castle will regain its original form from the 19th century

Saint Nicholas (Kutná Hora) - The park near Kačina Castle in Saint Nicholas is gradually returning to its original form from the 19th century. The costs of its reconstruction exceed 60 million crowns. The restoration will take place in stages, depending on how financial resources can be secured. This year, vegetation adjustments will begin. They are expected to last three years. The Museum of Czech Countryside, which is located in the castle, received a European grant of 20 million crowns for this, said its director Pavel Novák to ČTK.
    The English park was established in 1789 by Jan Rudolf Chotek (1748 to 1824). The Choteks had exotic trees brought in and planted on their estate, which they propagated in forest nurseries. Thus, Tyrolean larches, chestnut trees, acacias, pines, and mulberries found their way to Kačina. They also planted horse chestnuts, rowans, willows, beeches, and poplars. "In their time, these were curiosities; now these trees are well-established," added Novák.
    The park also had a catalpa, which has now lived its life. "We are proud of one of the largest yews in the republic; it was probably planted during the establishment of the park. We perceive it as a large, sprawling bush, but in reality, it is a tree," stated the director. The park's creation is likely remembered by an acacia, which has a trunk circumference of four to five meters. Originally, it was probably several trees that fused together.
    The European grant only concerns the restoration of vegetative features, namely trees and shrubs. The large grassy areas around the castle are not included. These will be addressed in later stages, as well as the adjustments of paths, stone walls, chapels, pavilions, or utilities relocation. The museum began to restore paths in the park last year and received two million crowns from the Ministry of Agriculture for this purpose. "A new visitor circuit will be created in the park that will allow distant views of the castle that were not previously possible," noted the director.
    Architects collaborated with the gardening faculty of Lednice on the park restoration project. Very few original documents have survived for reference. A significant aid was the cadastral maps from 1838, which captured the park in its prime phase. The park was established in connection with the preparation of the construction site for the castle. By the time the Choteks moved in from Nové Dvory in 1823, their residence was already surrounded by mature greenery.
    The park covers an area of about 200 hectares, with a tenth owned by the museum. The rest is owned by Lesy ČR, which according to Novák is also preparing adjustments. They want to restore the Novodvorska alley and the pond, expand grassy areas, and build new paths. A private investor is also planning to restore the vineyards next to the park next year.