At the top of Mount Studenec, a lookout tower will return

Česká Kamenice (Děčínsko) - Next week, a repaired memorial lookout tower is to be installed at the top of the Studenec mountain near Česká Kamenice in the Děčín region. It could be officially opened before the end of this year. The reconstruction began last autumn, with total costs rising to approximately three million Czech crowns. This was stated by the deputy mayor of Česká Kamenice, Vojtěch Marek.
    The lookout tower was to be placed at the top of the mountain last week, but the work was delayed. The exact date will be determined based on the weather and the completion of preparatory work. "It looks like Thursday, but it is not set in stone that it must be that way," Marek said. One possible option for the ceremonial opening of the lookout tower is during the traditional ascent to Studenec mountain on New Year's Eve.
    The town hall sought funds for the repair of the lookout tower through a public collection, successfully raising about half a million crowns. However, significant assistance with the reconstruction came from a grant from the Ministry of Culture amounting to 1.93 million crowns. According to Marek, the civic association Studený and Lipnice contributed approximately 300,000 crowns, while the town of Česká Kamenice provided about 400,000 crowns for the repairs. "We are still preparing comprehensive financial analyses," Marek stated.
    The town sold the original steps of the lookout tower to interested parties, and individuals and companies also contributed to the new steps. A donor paid 5,000 crowns for one new step, which will have a relief with their name on it. The response from people and companies was significant, and the steps were sold in less than three months.
    Last autumn, a helicopter dismantled the lookout tower piece by piece from the top of the mountain, which will also return it to its original place. The lookout tower was completely disassembled, and the structure was transported to a specialized company in Litoměřice for repairs. Since the end of October, the entire lookout tower has been reassembled at a playground in Dolní Kamenice near the summit, where new foundations for anchoring had to be cemented.
    Due to the historical significance of the building, the owner, the town of Česká Kamenice, endeavored to preserve as many original parts of the lookout tower as possible. At the top, there is a nature reserve where any new construction is unacceptable. Therefore, the construction of an entirely new replica of the lookout tower, as was originally intended, was not considered.
    The lookout tower on Studenec is the second oldest iron lookout tower in the Czech Republic. The cast-iron tower, built in 1888, is 17 meters tall and is situated at an elevation of 737 meters. In 1996, its demolition was already being considered, but later it was declared a national monument by the Ministry of Culture.
     In the Ústí nad Labem Region, there are 32 lookout towers, the highest number of any region. Many towns and municipalities have been striving to repair old viewpoints in recent years. For instance, the Erbena Lookout in Ústí nad Labem was reopened after reconstruction and expansion two years ago.