The first phase of the repairs to Jičín Castle is delayed

Jičín - The first phase of the renovation of the Valdštejn Castle in the center of Jičín for 17 million crowns, which began in the summer, will not be completed in spring next year as expected. It will last approximately until the middle of the year. Unexpected complications during the construction adjustments will delay the timeline and the estimated cost is likely to increase. This was communicated by Mayor Jan Malý (ANO) to ČTK today.

"The work has been quite complicated. The original deadline will therefore be extended. However, it should be completed by the end of the semester, that is, at the beginning of the tourist season. Additional work cannot be ruled out, but I cannot currently estimate how much the cost will increase," said Malý.

The first phase is divided into two parts. This year's phase, which mainly involves demolition work and utility adjustments, is expected to cost around three million crowns. Next year, the first phase, which will address approximately 15 percent of the castle's area, should be completed. For next year, 14 million crowns are allocated in the city budget for it.

The project includes the construction of a modern information center, and the construction adjustments will also affect adjacent non-residential spaces on the ground floor. Rooms on the first floor are expected to serve for university studies of the Jičín Consulting Center and for other educational and social events. Part of the first floor will house the background for the Jury Hall.

The city plans to start preparing the second phase next year, in which it aims to build a barrier-free entrance to the castle. This should significantly improve comfort when organizing cultural and social events or wedding ceremonies at the castle.

Alongside these activities, the replacement of the castle's windows began in the fall. The first more than ten windows, costing 900,000 crowns, have already been replaced. "Next year, all windows facing the square should be replaced," said Deputy Mayor Petr Hamáček (Association for Jičín). The investment for windows in 2018 is expected to amount to 4.8 million crowns. The city plans to gradually replace or repair approximately 300 windows of the Valdštejn Castle. The replacement of all windows is expected to cost 13 million crowns, most of which will come from grants from the Ministry of Culture. "The window replacement should take three years, and it should be completed in 2020," specified Hamáček.

The city hopes to gradually renovate the entire castle, estimating the costs to be in the tens of millions of crowns. Previous investments in the castle have primarily addressed emergency conditions, including those concerning the boiler room and heating.

The Jičín Castle was built after 1608 and burned down twelve years later after an explosion of gunpowder. Under Albrecht von Wallenstein, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1633. The castle underwent a major renovation for the last time in the 1960s.