Additional parts of the collapsed wall in Zákupy need to be statically secured

Zákupy - Further sections of the collapsed wall of the northern wing of the dilapidated castle farmyard in Zákupy will need to be statically secured. This was stated by the structural engineer today. The courtyard is a national cultural monument, and part of the wall collapsed on Thursday. The castle curator, Petr Weiss, estimates that the securing will be completed within a few weeks. "It is already being arranged. From the beginning of next week, experts will be alternating here, and it will be prepared," Weiss told ČTK today. He does not yet know how much the static securing of the damaged part will cost.

The farmyard is one of the most endangered national monuments in the Liberec region. It was created in the second half of the 17th century. A section of the wall measuring ten by six meters collapsed on Thursday morning, and no one was injured. "The cause is due to the state of the monument, which means its dilapidation and water ingress. There was a violation of both vertical and horizontal structures, and all of this led to the destruction," said Weiss. To prevent anyone from entering the courtyard, the construction of a temporary fence began today. It should be completed by the evening. "We are renewing the fence that has been there multiple times and which has been destroyed and taken away by vandals and thieves," said the curator.

According to conservationists, the farmyard holds more historical value than the adjacent Zákupy castle. It has been state-owned since 2003 and was already in a state of disrepair then. In previous years, conservationists have spent about nine million crowns on basic static securing. "Since the state took over the area, various static securing has continuously been carried out. There are various supports, reinforced vaults in the ground floor, the first floor, and various makeshift roofing," added Weiss.

An estimated 600 to 700 million crowns are needed for the complete restoration of the courtyard. Two years ago, conservationists also obtained a European grant of over 95 million crowns for the rescue of its most valuable section, namely the southern wing, where the stables used to be. In 2019, a public tender for the main contractor of the restoration was announced. "But it had to be canceled because the bids exceeded the financial limit. A new public tender will be announced in the coming days, now with an increased limit of 127 million crowns. I believe that we will now find a main contractor and start the restoration as soon as possible," stated Miloš Kadlec, director of the Regional Heritage Administration in Sychrov. The building of the former brewery, the stables, and the areas previously occupied by service personnel of the castle also need reconstruction in the future.