In Běloves in Náchod, the reconstruction of the historic spa colonnade will begin for 24 million CZK

Náchod - In Bělovsi on the outskirts of Náchod, a reconstruction of the historic colonnade in the area of the Great Spa will begin in mid-February at a cost of more than 24 million crowns. The reconstruction of the spa building IDA in Bělovsi will be carried out by the Vrchlabí company B.C.M. company. The project also includes the modification of the surrounding area, said city hall spokesperson Nina Adlof to ČTK today. The twenty-thousand-inhabitant town of Náchod has been striving to revive spa services in Bělovsi for several years.

"This project is another step towards the revitalization of the Bělovsi spa and strengthening tourism in Náchod. The start of construction work is planned for February 14," said Náchod mayor Jan Birke (SOCDEM) to ČTK.

The spa building IDA, built at the end of the 19th century in the neoclassical style, is located on the left bank of the Metuje River in the area of the Great Spa, where the city acquired the IDA I and IDA II mineral water wells last year. According to the city hall, this was a milestone in the restoration of spa services, as the city now controls all four wells of natural mineral springs in Bělovsi, allowing for more sustainable use of these healing sources.

"The spa building IDA has played a key role in the Bělovsi spa for many years. It served as a colonnade with a mineral spring and facilities for spa visitors. After the operation ceased in the 1990s, it began to deteriorate, and its original function and architectural splendor gradually faded. The project will bring not only renovation to the building but also modernization with respect to its history," Adlof stated.

The colonnade will be transformed into a space with hygiene facilities and exhibition space, while its original structure and architectural character will be preserved. The spring, the dominant part of the building, will be restored, including the mineral water IDA fountain and its characteristic turret with a decorative spire.

"The technological extension from 2023 for 11.5 million crowns already provides the necessary technical facilities for the treatment and distribution of mineral water IDA, which can be drawn from the nearby spring Jakub," Adlof told ČTK.

The reconstruction also includes the restoration of facades, including decorative elements such as cornices, rustications, pilasters, and architraves, which will be in light ochre shades. "The roof covering will be made of high-quality materials in the shape of roof tiles in an anthracite shade," Adlof added.

Landscaping will enhance the area around the building to connect it with the surrounding park. The paved areas will be complemented by parking spaces, including designated spots for individuals with reduced mobility. An elevated circular stage for cultural events will also be created in front of the building. The city hall is planning to revitalize the adjacent spa park this year. The estimated costs for the park modifications are around 80 million crowns.

Near the colonnade, there is still the former spa house Helena, which belongs to the city. This historic, significantly dilapidated building is also expected to undergo reconstruction in the future. "There were originally more spa buildings there. The colonnade and the Helena house are the last remaining historical structures of the spa," Adlof stated.

The establishment of Bělovsi spa dates back to the early 19th century, and its modern history began to close in the early 1990s. The city strives for their restoration.

The city created the Běla and Jan mineral water wells and opened the Komenský villa in 2019, complete with mineral water fountains and a promenade in the Little Spa on the right bank of the Metuje. In 2020, the city built a bridge over the Metuje for 33 million crowns, and in 2021, it purchased the dilapidated area of the Great Spa for 39.9 million crowns. In the spring of 2022, the city hall started with initial modifications of the spa park, and in the same year, it bought the historic villa Panzinka in the spa area for ten million crowns. In 2023, Náchod became the owner of the trademarks for the mineral water Ida.

In the spring of 2024, the city hall opened the renovated Jakub spring in the area of the Great Spa. It resembles a chapel where people can draw the soda from the IDA I and IDA II wells. This was made possible by the construction of a treatment facility for this mineral water. The city hall had to close the Jakub spring in the fall of 2015 due to increased arsenic levels in the mineral water.