The Prostějov City Hall has found a buyer for the dilapidated castle in Ptení

Prostějov – After several previous unsuccessful attempts, the Prostějov city council has managed to find a buyer for the castle in nearby Ptence, which has been deteriorating for years without use. A resident of Ptence, David Hudeček, intends to purchase the extensive property for 3.33 million crowns. He has decided to renovate the castle and later plans to use the grounds for cultural events. The sale of the castle and surrounding land will be voted on by the Prostějov city council in September. This was reported today by the mayor's deputy Jiří Pospíšil.

"The city received a total of two offers for the currently announced intention to sell, with only Mr. Hudeček's offer meeting the city's stipulated sales conditions. He also paid the required deposit of 320,000 crowns," Pospíšil stated. The offered price is higher than the estimated value of this cultural heritage site, which experts assess at 3.2 million crowns.

In previous years, several interested parties considered purchasing the castle in Ptence. "However, most of them would prefer to buy the castle for a symbolic purchase price. An offer for the transfer of the castle was also made to the municipality of Ptence, but it was not accepted due to insufficient financial resources needed for the castle's renovation and further operation," Pospíšil added.

Hudeček wants to renovate the castle in Ptence in the Renaissance style. "The castle would be open to the public, hosting exhibitions, musical performances, cultural events, author readings, weddings, etc. He would like to establish a tea house in part of the castle," Pospíšil further commented.

Due to the planned purchase of the castle, Hudeček has already established an association whose main mission, according to information from the founding documents, is to preserve the historical value of the castle and to use it for the benefit of the public. The association intends to obtain funds for the renovation and maintenance of the castle from its own activities, public budgets, its members, private donors, and public collections.

The Prostějov city council decided to sell the Ptence castle because it requires a multi-million investment, which the city does not have. Investors who approached the city council in 2017 wished to create, for example, a guesthouse in the castle, training spaces, cultural event venues, a mini-brewery with a restaurant, or a training and educational center for caregiver training. However, the castle could not be sold at that time.

The Renaissance castle in Ptence from the 17th century was acquired by the state in the 1920s during the first republic land reform. Prostějov purchased it ten years later along with the surrounding forest land. Since the 1950s, the castle housed apartments for state forest employees and a cinema, which later burned down. The Ptence castle, with four wings and towers at the corners, has been declining for several years. At the end of 2008, it made it onto the list of the most endangered monuments compiled by staff from the National Heritage Institute. The castle is accompanied by about 8500 m² of land. The management of the castle is currently ensured by the company Lesy města Prostějova.