At the castle in Manětín, they are restoring a once-ruined orangery

Manětín - Although due to measures against the spread of the coronavirus, monuments remain closed, their managers are not sitting idly. Work is in full swing at many castles and chateaus. For example, at the state chateau in Manětín in northern Plzeň, work is underway to restore the chateau's orangery, which collapsed more than half a century ago, leaving only the remains of the surrounding walls. The revival of the orangery is another step in the gradual restoration of the baroque chateau complex, said the castle administrator Karel Mašek today to ČTK.

The orangery was bought from a private owner in 1997. At that time, only three walls remained, which marred the restored French garden of the chateau. Since the 1950s, only part of the orangery had been used, the building was crumbling, and it had also been filled with rubble from the surroundings. It waited until last year to begin reconstruction.

Historical sources mention the chateau orangery in Manětín as early as the first half of the 18th century, but according to Mašek, it was likely even older. The nobility valued such buildings and emphasized their importance. Thanks to the heated orangery and other hothouses, they could enjoy their own citrus fruits and other fruits and vegetables, which were very expensive to import. The orangery was renovated several times over the years.

Before the construction work began, a detailed archaeological survey was conducted, which revealed heating channels and a heating system, as well as the bases of supporting oak pillars. Restoration began last year, with walls, gables, roof trusses, and a roof that received luxury slate covering being completed. The builders erected approximately five-meter-high pillars and constructed a wooden frame for the front wall, which is already fitted with glass. Inside the historic building, wall paintings have also been preserved, which restorers are working to restore. The entire orangery measures 27 meters in length and eight meters in width.

The restoration, including the restoration of the painting, will cost 9.2 million crowns, said Markéta Slabová, spokeswoman for the České Budějovice branch of the National Heritage Institute. The orangery will be used as a multifunctional space for various cultural events, exhibitions, concerts, or wedding ceremonies.