From Kyselka, as much as possible should be saved, says the minister

Karlovy Vary - According to Minister of Culture Alena Hanáková (for TOP 09 and STAN), as many preserved buildings as possible should be saved from the former spas Kyselka near Karlovy Vary. However, she admitted that the state's options to assist in this matter are limited. It can at least help with negotiations, she told journalists during her visit to the Karlovy Vary Region today. The Kyselka spa is a national cultural monument, but the buildings are in a very devastated state.
     "Communication with all building owners and representatives of Mattoni is very important. I have arranged with the company's lawyer for another meeting, and we will try to further discuss this complex issue. I sincerely wish for a compromise to be reached so that as many buildings as possible are saved," said Hanáková.
     According to the minister, the state can insist on the obligations of owners towards protected buildings on one hand and help find a compromise between the owners' possibilities on the other. Hanáková stated that it is not enough to just save the buildings; it is necessary to find uses for them. "I believe that if they were invested in, some buildings could eventually bring in money," the minister noted.
     There are about 20 historic buildings in Kyselka with unique architectural characteristics. However, due to long-term neglect, they are in a state of collapse.
     Karlovarské minerální vody a.s. (KMV), which owns part of the buildings, recently presented its plan to renovate a total of 11 structures. This year, according to their spokesperson Bibiana Beňová, they want to invest 60 million CZK in the repair of the first two. "These are buildings for which we have specific uses and purposes. In the Stallburg building, new apartments will be created, and in the Löschner pavilion, there will be a museum. Another meaningful use and functional purpose for the buildings is a basic prerequisite for the long-term preservation of the monument's values," clarified KMV's CEO Alessandro Pasquale.
     The regional office confirmed a fine of 1.8 million CZK for KMV in February for poor care of the protected monuments in the Kyselka spa. However, the company intends to file an administrative lawsuit against the ruling.