In Lednice, a long-standing reconstruction of the minaret in the castle park is coming to an end

Lednice - In the castle park in Lednice, South Moravia, the decades-long renovation of the minaret, which is the oldest preserved observation tower in the Czech Republic, is coming to an end these days. The final phase of the renovation, which is now concluding, included the repair of the lower facade and stone platform for 4.5 million crowns, said Ivana Holásková, the castle's curator, to ČTK.

Work on the minaret began in the 1980s when the castle administration noticed that cracks were beginning to appear in the rooms of the minaret, and the tower was slightly leaning. "The reason was the regulation of the Morava River in the 1960s, which had previously supplied the marshy surroundings of the minaret. The structure stands on alder and oak wood, which needs moisture. After the regulation, the marsh dried up, along with the foundations of the minaret," explained Holásková.

The first attempt at stabilizing the structure took place in the 1980s, but it was not very successful, so in the 1990s, stabilization was repeated, this time using micropiling technique with better results. Since then, work has gradually been carried out on the mosaic floor, the roof, and the shaft of the minaret. And in recent years, also the interiors and the lower facade.

"Now we are working on the adjustments to the surroundings, building a new ticket office, refreshments, restrooms, and seating. All this is expected to cost around one million crowns, and it is no longer part of the minaret's reconstruction," added the curator.

Among the larger projects currently planned in the castle park is the general maintenance of the Castle Pond, which will be carried out by the Lower Morava Biosphere Reserve and involves mainly the dredging of the pond. "There is so much sludge in the pond that there is only a minimum of water left, which is bad for wildlife and birds. The water has also eroded the banks of the island system, and they need to be stabilized," stated Holásková. The work, which is expected to cost about 100 million crowns, should begin at the start of next year.