The reconstruction of the roof saved the Liberec spa from destruction

Liberec - The reconstruction of the roof of the Emperor Franz Joseph I. Baths, which the city of Liberec started last year, has saved the building from devastation. Although work on it will continue this year and probably next year as well, it is already clear that further deterioration of the more than a century-old building has been prevented. The total cost of the roof repair is approximately 18 million crowns, with about a quarter likely to be obtained from grants, said the city secretary Marek Řeháček to reporters today.
    This year, according to Řeháček, the baths will see the reconstruction of the roof, repair of the skylight and roof windows, and also reinforcing structures. "At the same time, restorers will work on restoring the decorative elements of the roof and also on the sculptures in the gable," described the work the secretary. Restoration work on the shell of the building, constructed between 1900 and 1902 according to the design of Vienna architect Peter Paul Brang, will continue next year as well, according to him.
    The complex also includes a chimney - one of the few that still remains in the city center. It is also protected as a historical monument, just like the adjacent bathing building. "It is not in as dire a state as the baths, but it does need repair because it is cracked at the top and would soon start to collapse," noted Řeháček. According to him, repairs to the chimney should be carried out next year.
    The Neo-Renaissance Liberec baths were created during the peak of the then German city's expansion and form an architecturally unique whole with the neighboring North Czech Museum and children's polyclinic. In recent years, the building has changed owners several times, who did not invest in it. The city hall bought the monument two years ago for nine million crowns at auction to prevent its further devastation. There is no definitive decision yet on the future use of the baths, but it is highly likely that they will return to their original purpose - a Health House will be established there with services based on rehabilitation, massages, and therapeutic cures.
    The Liberec city council has prepared a project for the complete reconstruction of the city baths. However, since the city does not have the required 300 million crowns in its budget, it plans to apply for grants from European funds. "We are waiting for the programs to be approved," said the mayor's deputy Ivo Palouš to ČTK. According to him, the city anticipates that it could obtain up to 85 percent of the necessary funds from European sources, with the remainder being covered from its own budget.