Kroměříž is preparing the reconstruction of Max's waterworks, which is a cultural monument

Kroměříž - The Kroměříž City Hall is preparing to renovate Maxova waterworks with a fountain, which is in poor condition. This was stated in today's press release by city hall spokesman Jan Vondrášek. The construction dates back to the 60s of the 17th century and is a cultural monument. It is located in the historic part of Kroměříž, not far from the city center on Na Kopečku Street. Representatives of the city did not specify the estimated costs for the repair.

According to Mayor Tomáš Opatrný (ANO), the condition of the waterworks is very poor, whether in terms of the structure, roof construction, damp interior, or damaged facade, from which plaster is falling off. "The city council has therefore approved the preparation of further documentation necessary for the development of project documentation leading to the issuance of a building permit for the renovation of this monument," said the mayor.

The building shows evident dampness and mold. "The reinforcing elements of the load-bearing walls are corroded and damaged. Cracks are appearing inside and outside the building. According to a structural survey, these are the result of the dismantling of the water tower, which previously reinforced the entire structure," said Libor Pecháček, head of the city hall's investment department.

According to him, the city will now be procuring more detailed structural surveys, monitoring of existing utility networks, and a concept for the remediation of the building. "For the exploration of the building's foundations and to determine the cause of the extreme dampness, it will be necessary to dig deep test pits around the building," Pecháček added.

The ground-level structure is part of the former old water tower from the time of Bishop Karl II of Liechtenstein-Castlecorn. The original tower had four to five floors. Previously, a mill stream from the Morava River flowed around it, powering the neighboring mill and the external paddle wheel of the waterworks, which was located at the site of today's large vaulted niche. "The paddle wheel powered the pumping machine on the ground floor, which pumped spring water brought by water pipes from the Barbořina hillside to the topmost floor of the tower. At the top of the tower were copper tanks as reservoirs, from which the water was distributed by gravity," stated Jana Gregorová from the city hall's investment department.

The current appearance of the building was acquired in the 1930s when builders dismantled the upper floors of the tower after the waterworks modernization. "The waterworks served its purpose until the end of the 19th century when the city built a new water supply system. In the 1920s, the unnecessary stream from the Morava River was then piped," added Gregorová. The building now serves as a storage for tools and other items for the nearby tennis courts.