The Vřídlo colonnade began to return to its original appearance

Karlovy Vary – The second phase of repairs has fully begun at the Vřídelní Colonnade in Karlovy Vary. While in the first phase the city repaired technologies and some architectural elements, the current work is focused on returning the monument from the 1970s to a state as close as possible to its original form. A large number of elements will have to be remade, said Petr Bursík, the Deputy Mayor of Karlovy Vary, to reporters today.

"This is the second phase, where we are returning the original appearance of the thermal hall, including parts of the surrounding area. There will be a third phase, which will entail a comprehensive reconstruction of the entire structure. A study has been developed by the City Architecture Office, and we will gradually work on it so that we are ready for a potential subsidy. We are talking about approximately 100 or 130 million crowns," Bursík summarized.

Elimination of the emergency condition from a construction standpoint cost roughly 22 million crowns. Repairing the technology for capturing the thermal water cost 24 million crowns, and the current phase is expected to cost 26.5 million crowns. During the second phase of repairs, workers removed the glass walls of the thermal hall, installed a new floor that also serves as the ceiling above the technological underground, and will replace the glass decorative elements at the crown of the thermal hall.

According to architect Jiří Janisch, who was in charge of preparing the second phase of repairs to the Vřídelní Colonnade, selecting a suitable design variant for the hall was not easy. The plans of the original architect Jaroslav Otruba differed significantly from the actual appearance of the Vřídelní Colonnade. For example, it was no longer possible to find the same type and color of stone for the stone elements as was originally here. Additionally, modern technologies had to be taken into account. For instance, when constructing the colonnade, the marble floor was cut on-site as needed, whereas now it will be supplied in precisely cut parts.

The installation of large glass panels that formed the walls of the thermal hall is now awaiting warmer weather. Since these are several-meter panels that must be installed by hand, the air temperature must be at least five degrees above zero. Similarly, replacing the octagonal structure at the summit of the hall requires warmer weather. The original, now significantly degraded octagon is intended to be offered to museums, for example.

According to Bursík, it is currently realistic that the second phase of repairs will be completed by the start of the spa season in May. Around mid-April, the thermal water, which is mainly used for therapeutic procedures in Karlovy Vary, may tentatively be connected back from the current temporary external spring into the thermal hall. The ceremonial restoration of the Vřídlo’s operation is expected to occur at the beginning of the season.