The cave in the Moravian Karst has been almost restored after five years of work

Adamov (Blanensko) - In the past five years, ecologists have restored two-thirds of the Švýcárna in the Moravian Karst. This is a unique monument built in 1850 in Alpine style, originally as an iron spa with an inn. During communism, the building was one of the most attractive properties belonging to the Socialist Youth Union (SSM), which organized youth activities under the supervision of the Communist Party until January 1990. After the regime change, disputes arose over the building. Since 2008, the organization Modrý kámen, which is part of the Brontosaurus Movement, has been transforming it into an ecological education center.
    "The fate of the Švýcárna was uncertain in the 90s. Some political parties wanted to acquire it for free. It was either closed or operated a not very successful restaurant inside," said Robert Kubáň, director of the Švýcárna eco-center, to ČTK.
    Although the monument was deteriorating, filmmakers used it several times for its picturesque architecture. The Švýcárna is part of the historical metallurgical complex in Josefov near Adamov, which was built by the Liechtensteins since the 18th century. Under the name Old Foundry, it became the oldest technical heritage reserve in Moravia in 1971.
    After 1989, according to Kubáň, there was a risk that the state would lose the Švýcárna because it could be sold in a non-transparent way. "There were more such cases," he noted. After the fall of communism, the property of the SSM was taken over by the Children and Youth Fund. At that time, its total value in today's Czech Republic was estimated at three billion crowns. However, after nearly ten years, only properties valued at about one billion remained in the ownership of this state fund.
    Only in 2006 did the Brontosaurus Movement acquire the Švýcárna through a gratuitous transfer from the state with the condition that the ecologists would pay off the debts associated with this property. These were estimated at 1.5 million crowns. Later, it turned out that this number was exaggerated, and the actual debts were around half a million, added Kubáň.
    The ecologists paid off the property and began its restoration. So far, they have invested 11 million crowns, which they obtained from various grants. They will need another eight to ten million.
    The Švýcárna only needs the restoration of its outer walls. A wastewater treatment plant needs to be built. They also managed to renovate the farm building and the neighboring barn, which was originally to be demolished. Now it houses a blacksmith, pottery, and carpentry workshop. It also contains a classroom and a space for processing sheep wool.
    Every year, several thousand people of all ages participate in various trainings and leisure ecological activities on the grounds of the Švýcárna. The Švýcárna also includes a tea house, club rooms, and a restaurant.
    In 2010, the ecologists won a competition for the best restored monument in South Moravia with their Švýcárna restoration project. Many other properties that belonged to the SSM were not as fortunate as this one and are falling into disrepair. The union members owned a total of 11 such properties in the region, mostly in recreational areas.