The bell and the Vojtěšská Foundry in Kladno have become a cultural monument

photo: Research Center for Industrial Heritage

Kladno - The lime kilns in the area of the former Vojtěšská steelworks in Kladno, also known as Koněv, have become a cultural monument. CTK was told today by the spokesman for the Ministry of Culture, Jan Cieslar. The decision became legally binding on May 7.
    The kilns are now in private hands, owned by the company První železářská Kladno. According to heritage conservationists, some property owners oppose the designation of significant buildings as cultural monuments. They fear rising costs for maintenance and security of such buildings or potential restrictions on their business. Jiří Mráček, the managing director of První železářská Kladno, previously told CTK that it should not be a problem for the company, which owns the Koněv steelworks site and part of the surrounding land. "We are prepared to partially contribute to the financing of the renovation of the lime kiln; we definitely are not trying to destroy the property," he stated.
    The civic association Kladno Koněv is attempting to save the kilns, seeking to obtain funds from EU sources for their restoration. The condition of one of the towers is reportedly critical, according to the association. However, without an agreement with the owner, they have no means to rectify the situation.
    The four shaft lime kilns in the area of the former Vojtěšská steelworks were built between 1927 and 1929. The first two were gradually put into operation in August and September 1928, and the other two in October 1929. With the expansion of blast furnace operations at the steelworks, the four lime kilns soon became insufficient, and a new kiln was necessary, completed in 1940.
    The cessation of operations at the lime kilns was related to the halt of crude iron production in Kladno in 1975, when the production of burnt lime lost its purpose. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the first two kilns designated as No. I and II were demolished. By the beginning of 1997, the bridges, lifts, flues, and all machinery from kilns No. III, IV, and V had been removed.