Experts are checking the technical condition of the cladding of the hotel and the transmitter in Ještěd

Liberec – Experts from the company Balance Praha are inspecting the technical condition of the cladding of the mountain hotel and transmitter Ještěd. This is an important part of the preparation for the reconstruction of the valuable building, which is a dominant feature of Liberec and the entire region, said today the spokesperson of the regional office, Pavla Sýkorová, to ČTK. Ještěd has been a national cultural monument since 2006, and the Liberec region wants to ensure the preservation of the original architectural character of this unique structure in all respects, as much as current technologies and construction methods allow.

"Ještěd is an exceptionally important building for the Liberec region, and we want to take care of it so that it can serve future generations. Regular technical inspections are an important part of preparing for its future reconstruction. We need to know exactly the condition of the individual parts of the building and where interventions will be necessary," added Jiří Ulvr, the deputy governor (Mayors for the Liberec Region). According to him, regular inspections and maintenance of the outer shell are especially important due to the demanding mountain conditions to which the building has been exposed for a long time.

According to Ulvr, the experts focused primarily on the cladding of the tower made of EPDM foil, which is a durable rubber membrane that protects the structure from rain, snow, wind, and other elements. "They checked the integrity of the individual details, the condition of the seals and fastening strips. The inspection also included diagnostics and inspection of the tension rods, which are important connecting elements of the transmitter's structure, where experts verified their condition and functionality," added the deputy.

The mountain hotel and transmitter Ještěd is a Czech building of the century. The hyperboloid, 94 meters tall, uniquely combines the functions of a transmitter, hotel, and restaurant. The foundation stone of the building was ceremonially laid 60 years ago – in July 1966, and it has been in operation since 1973. Its author, Karel Hubáček, received the Perret Prize awarded by the International Union of Architects for the project in 1969. Both experts and laypeople are still captivated by the way the building enhances the silhouette of the 1012-meter high mountain.

The Liberec Region has been the owner of the building and adjacent land since this year, having purchased it for 185 million korun from Česká radiokomunikace. Ještěd has been on the Indicative List of the Czech Republic for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2007, but after more than half a century of operation, it needs a complete reconstruction. An assessment from 2019 estimated the cost at 400 million korun, but the actual costs will only be revealed by the project, which the region aims to complete by the end of next year, and the public tender for the contractor.