In Neratov in the Rychnov region, the repair of the glass roof of the church has been completed for 20 million CZK

Bartošovice in the Orlické Mountains - The renovation of the glass roof of the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Neratov in the Orlické Mountains has been completed. The roof reconstruction began last spring and continued after the winter break from mid-April. The total costs amount to 19.5 million crowns including VAT, Antonín Nekvinda from the Neratov Association, which has been trying to revive the displaced settlement since the 90s, told ČTK today. The goal was to reduce roof moisture and improve the roof's structure. According to Nekvinda, the repair was necessary because there was leakage through the roof and moisture was condensing under it.

Last year, builders reinforced the structure of the roof and installed new glass over about two-thirds of it, especially above the main nave of the church. They worked while the church was in use, and the work was interrupted over the winter. This year, the builders completed the glass replacement. This year’s phase cost about five million crowns.

"Now finishing works are yet to come, which are not part of the project, such as replacing gutters or some parts of the solid roof covering that may have become loose during the reconstruction. We will conduct a roof inspection over the summer," Nekvinda said.

The Neratov church is famous for its glass roof. It was completed in 2007; before that, the church had been without a roof for almost 50 years. Worship services and cultural events are held in the church.

The association collaborated on the recently completed roof repair with the Roman Catholic parish of Neratov. The funds for the repair came from loans, for example, from the Hradec Králové bishopric and from donations. The project was also supported by the Hradec Králové and Pardubice regions.

The church was built between 1723 and 1733, probably according to the plans of the Italian builder Giovanni Battista Alliprandi. The church's decline began at the end of World War II, and later the vaults collapsed.

The Neratov Association has been trying to revive the namesake displaced settlement since the early 90s. The association helps people with disabilities, including those with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Neratov falls under Bartošovice in the Orlické Mountains in the Rychnov region.