The Punkevní Caves are to have a new administrative building for 60 million

Blansko - The Punkva Caves in the Moravian Karst, which are visited by 200,000 tourists annually, will receive new facilities for tourists and speleologists. The old administrative building from 1947, which is outdated and insufficient in capacity, will be replaced by a new one costing 60 million crowns. It is expected to start operations before the summer season of 2014, Jiří Hebelka from the Moravian Karst Cave Administration told ČTK today.
     The construction project for the new building was created eight years ago. The Ministry of the Environment postponed the construction due to a lack of funds. The situation has now improved. At the beginning of next year, the cave administration is expected to select a construction contractor. Work is set to begin in the fall of 2013 so that it will be completed by the next summer season.
     The old structure is awaiting demolition. It will be replaced by a modern building made of glass and concrete, which will be moved several meters away from the current location. The goal is to distance it from the rock wall rising above the entrance to the underground, from which stones are falling.
     The Punkva Caves are among the most visited underground spaces in Central Europe. They are renowned for their rich stalactite decoration, an underground boat ride on the Punkva River, and also for being connected to the dry floor of the 138.7-meter-deep Macocha Abyss.