Jánské Koupele in the Opava region was bought by the Ostrava lawyer Ležatka

Staré Těchanovice - The dilapidated heritage-protected area of the former Jánské Koupele spa in the Opava region has been purchased by the firm of Ostrava lawyer Karel Ležatka. He acquired the spa from tennis player Tomáš Berdych and his business partner Petr Lexa. Ležatka already owns, for example, the ski resort in Kopřivná. He aims to build a functioning spa in the Opava region. However, his plans for the reconstruction of the spa are complicated by the current crisis related to the spread of the coronavirus. Ležatka told ČTK today.

"I have been interested in the location for a longer time. I want life to return there. The Moravice Valley is a beautiful place, perhaps the most beautiful in the Moravian-Silesian Region," said Ležatka. He mentioned that he has already found a Hungarian investor for the investment of approximately 500 million crowns, who has experience in spa management. "It is supposed to be a functioning and proven concept," he stated.

According to him, it is unclear how the work will progress in light of the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. "I have no idea how this will affect the project, how prepared the partner will be. We cannot meet. Currently, we are addressing the issues of our current business," he said. He believes that the start of the reconstruction of the area will be delayed compared to the original plan. "The project will probably be put on hold partly. We will first have to recover," he indicated. He noted that the premature end of the ski season in Kopřivná in the Bruntál area and the closure of the local hotel have already generated losses of several tens of millions of crowns.

In the Jánské Koupele area, he wants to build a spa accessible to Czech clients. "It should be a higher standard. But nothing extravagant," he said. He added that, unlike his predecessors, he will not seek complete removal of heritage protection and demolition of the area. "I plan revitalization and the rescue of important buildings. However, some buildings cannot be saved," he stated. Therefore, he will demand the removal of heritage protection only in a limited scope.

The Jánské Koupele area consists of 11 buildings with land located in the valley on both banks of the Moravice River. They have been on the list of monuments since 2005. "The consequences of long-term neglect are evident in individual buildings, their structural and technical condition is very poor, and in some cases, it is critical. The area was included in the list of the most endangered monuments in the Czech Republic at the request of the National Heritage Institute. Nevertheless, we are convinced that most of the buildings can be preserved and restored," stated Petra Batková from the Ostrava Heritage Institute.

The Jánské Koupele spa was established in 1811 when the first spa house was built. In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the spa was very well-known, treating diseases of the heart, circulatory and respiratory systems, skin diseases, gout, and rheumatism. During World War II, the spa became a training center for the Hitler Youth and a prisoner-of-war camp, and treatment was halted there. After the war, the buildings became sanatoriums and recovery centers. They were closed in 1993 and have since been falling into disrepair.