The reconstruction of the hotel and transmitter at Ještěd is in the preparatory phase

Liberec - In the preparation phase is the planned renovation of the mountain hotel with the transmitter Ještěd in Liberec. The reconstruction of this unique national monument, whose cornerstone was laid half a century ago, is estimated to cost about 200 million crowns.

Czech Radiocommunications (ČRa), as the owner of the building, the Liberec Region, and the company Ještěd, which has been leasing the mountain hotel with a restaurant for a long time, are involved in preparing the documentation. This partnership was cemented this year by joining the association Ještěd 73. "As part of the entrance, there was an agreement to allocate financial resources for the preparation of project documentation in order to obtain a building permit for the respectful restoration of this national cultural monument," said ČTK finance director of ČRa Vít Vážan, who is also the chairman of the association Ještěd 73.

The preparation of project documentation and related materials will cost about five million crowns, two million of which will be paid by the Liberec Region. The association aims to complete the documentation and obtain a building permit in the near future. "Therefore, surveys are currently underway, which will be the basis for the implementation of the Ještěd restoration project," Vážan stated. It is estimated that all necessary materials to start repairs could be ready within two years. Investments are needed in both technological and construction aspects, with the biggest issues being air conditioning and cladding. It is still unclear how the restoration will be financed and when it will begin. Efforts will be made to secure state or European grants.

Czech Radiocommunications acquired the hotel and transmitter for 85 million crowns in 2000, when they purchased it in not very good condition from the former owner who was in bankruptcy. Since then, they have invested more than 50 million in repairs. A partial renovation has taken place on the laminate cladding, the windows were changed, and the building was connected to the public sewer system.

Further funds have been invested in the interior. Some areas have regained their original appearance thanks to the efforts of the association Ještěd 73, which was founded in the summer of 2012. Sponsors have aided them in this. The lounge has been successfully restored for about half a million crowns and the adjacent bar for more than 800,000 crowns. "These are places that people can see when visiting the restaurant," said the secretary of the association Milena Lánská. The hotel lobby also features restored popular hanging chairs known as eggs. Two rooms in the hotel are currently regaining their original appearance. The restoration will cost 390,000 CZK and is divided into phases, with the first stage expected to be completed this year. This year, the association also contributed to the publication of a book containing the memories of six personalities who took part in the construction of Ještěd. The publication was created based on interviews conducted with the eyewitnesses by students of the Liberec gymnasium.

The Ještěd hotel and transmitter were chosen as the Czech building of the 20th century in a poll. The Liberec Region continues to strive to list Ještěd on the UNESCO World Heritage list. "The path is complicated," said governor Martin Půta (STAN).