Jičín is preparing the second stage of the reconstruction of Valdštejn Castle

Jičín - Jičín has started preparing the second phase of the reconstruction of Valdštejn Castle. Builders should primarily construct an elevator, which would make the castle accessible. There are also plans to build restrooms and utilities in the gallery of Radek Pilař, near the Jury Hall and in the premises of the elementary art school. The costs for the second phase could be around 20 million crowns, similar to the first phase, which is now concluding. Deputy Mayor Petr Hamáček (Association for Jičín) said this today to ČTK.

The city will first have the company BP prepare project documentation for the second phase, for which they will pay 322,000 crowns. After its completion, the exact cost of the reconstruction will be known. Work on it could start in 2020. However, it will depend on whether the city council includes financing for the second phase in next year's budget.

The city began the first phase of repairs in 2017, which includes the construction of an information center and the reconstruction of non-residential space on the ground floor. The rooms on the first floor are intended to serve for university studies of the Consulting Center of Jičín and for other educational and social events after the renovation. Part of the first floor will serve as the back office for the Jury Hall. Everything should be completed by this spring.

The city aims to gradually renovate the entire castle, estimating costs in the tens of millions of crowns. Previous investments in the castle primarily addressed emergency conditions, including issues with the boiler room or heating.

Jičín Castle was built after 1608, and 12 years later it burned down after an explosion of gunpowder. Under Albrecht of Wallenstein, it was rebuilt in baroque style in 1633. The last major reconstruction of the castle dates back to the 1960s.