Castle Kost awaits extensive renovation costing 100 million crowns

Kost - The Gothic castle Kost in the Jičín region is set for one of the most extensive renovations in its history. Construction work costing approximately 100 million crowns is expected to start in September and will affect the majority of the castle complex. An archaeological survey will be part of the project. It should be completed by the end of 2021, the castle keeper Jan Macháček told ČTK. The castle is privately owned, belonging to the Kinský dal Borgo family. It will be open to visitors in its regular mode until the end of August. Next year, it is expected to be closed, except for the main tourist season in July and August, when limited tours are planned.

"The most extensive repairs to date were carried out in the 1950s when the castle came under national administration. However, the foundation and drainage issues have not been comprehensively addressed until now. It can be said that this will be the most comprehensive reconstruction of the castle in its modern history," Macháček told ČTK.

The planned work includes the stabilization of the foundation under the castle, the drainage of the area, and the repair and stabilization of the bastion and castle walls. "The drainage of the castle will concern the entire area and regarding the castle walls, approximately 70 percent of the current state. Scaffolding will gradually be set up around most of the castle's perimeter," Macháček told ČTK.

The construction work is divided into several phases, which will overlap in some places. "It should begin with the repair of the southern part of the walls and simultaneously the northern part of the bastion," the castle keeper stated.

He described the renovation as demanding due to the castle's location and the current situation. Castle Kost stands on a massif of sandstone rock, which is partially compromised by rainwater infiltration and other influences. "As soon as we uncover the perimeter walls, we will need to stabilize the massif, support it, and connect it to a more stable part of the massif. Certain complications may arise, but these are covered by the project," Macháček told ČTK.

The costs for the reconstruction are approximately 100 million crowns including VAT, with a grant from the European IROP program covering 80 percent of the eligible costs.

Castle Kost is considered one of the best-preserved Gothic castles in the Czech Republic. Its origins date back to the 14th century, and it has changed owners several times since then. The castle's website states that the last owner before 1948, when the castle was confiscated, was Anna Marie dal Borgo Netolická. During the communist regime, the castle was turned into a museum of Gothic and Renaissance art, while Anna Marie dal Borgo Netolická lived in Italy and married Norbert Kinský. After 1989, the property was restituted not to Anna Marie, but to her husband, who transferred the property to their two sons, Giovanni and Pia Kinský dal Borgo, who are still the owners of the castle today.