The renovation of the horse stable in Zákupy cost 373.6 million, will open in April

Zákupy - The four-year restoration of the stable at the state castle in Zákupy, which resembles a baroque cathedral, cost 373.6 million crowns. It was the largest investment by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) in the Liberec Region. This was stated by the regional director of NPÚ, Miloš Kadlec, in response to a query from ČTK today.

"No other investment of such a high amount has been made," he stated. The heritage protectors managed to obtain a European grant of 95 million, and the stable will be accessible from April.

It concerns the most valuable parts of the 17th-century farmyard, which is a national cultural monument and, according to the heritage protectors, has historical value that exceeds that of the adjacent castle. The dilapidated complex was acquired by the state over 20 years ago, and the restoration of the stable was the first phase of its rescue. "We are currently working on designing the next phase, which includes the basic static reinforcement of the northern wing and what connects to the fire wall here," Kadlec stated.

The further progress of the reconstruction will depend on how successfully funds can be obtained. "My estimate is that the entire restoration will cost over one billion crowns," he added. The areas that need to be repaired will, in the future, be transformed into an archaeological depository for Bohemia.

The restored southern part of the farmyard will serve as an exhibition space for tourists. According to the castle's curator, Vladimír Tregl, it is an exceptional building in the Czech Republic. "If we consider only buildings that did not serve the church, then the farmyard here in Zákupy is the longest baroque building in our country. It is 150 meters long, half of which, 75 meters, is the stable," he stated. In the past, up to 60 horses were stabled there.

Visitors to the castle, which used to be a summer imperial residence of the Habsburgs, will be able to access the restored part of the farmyard from April 5. Guided tours will be available on the ground floor, where there is a gallery with works depicting horses in three rooms and two stables. The small stable, which was converted into a garage for carriages in the 19th century, and the large stable, which has retained its appearance from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. It features 20 columns, 33 baroque vaults, sandstone channels for water for the horses, and iron hay baskets. "The impressiveness of this space lies in its size and architecture, where we see ten huge sandstone columns on each side, creating the impression of actually entering a baroque cathedral," Tregl said.

With a guide, visitors will be able to explore the first floor, which served as accommodation for the retinue of the Austrian emperor in the second half of the 19th century. In 15 of the 19 rooms along the long corridor, an exhibition showcasing artifacts from vanished or inaccessible Czech castles will be open from April.

The remaining four rooms will be dedicated to the founder of the farmyard, Anna Maria Francisca, Grand Duchess of Tuscany. "We will create a fictional baroque apartment here to commemorate Anna Maria Francisca. We will be able to talk about her and mention key moments from her life, her building activities, and why she was so significant," added the castle curator. The spaces dedicated to the Grand Duchess of Tuscany will be accessible to the public starting June 13.