The reconstruction of the local spa colonnade in Luhačovice has been completed

Luhačovice – The reconstruction of the local spa colonnade in Luhačovice, Zlín Region, has been completed. The work began last September and cost 115.6 million crowns, of which the European grant amounted to 98.4 million crowns, with the remainder covered by the Lázně Luhačovice company. The colonnade, 126 meters long, and the adjacent Vincentka hall, which was restored this August, are cultural monuments. The colonnade will be opened to the public on Wednesday afternoon at 15:00, with a fireworks display concluding the program at 17:30. Thanks to the restoration, the colonnade has returned to its original appearance, and new elements have also been added, said Eduard Bláha, the general director of the spa, today to ČTK.

"The value lies in rediscovering the original identity of this amazing building, which had somewhat begun to fade due to various interventions, limited care, or some shortcomings over the past 70 years, and the structure was deteriorating, with some parts possibly in a critical condition," Bláha stated.

During the reconstruction, previously inaccessible atriums were restored, glazing was renewed, the colonnade was illuminated thanks to skylights, and the lighting and mosaic flooring were reconstructed. In the center of the colonnade, a spring was restored; previously, people could drink from the Amandka spring, and now Vincentka has been brought there. "In the supporting wall, we found the original well of Vincentka, which we restored and equipped with documentation. It is becoming another informational stop during the building tour," the director noted.

The late functionalist complex was designed by the Brno architect Oskar Pořísky (1897 to 1982). It consists of the Vincentka hall and the Large and Small colonnades. The buildings were constructed on the southern side of the spa square between 1947 and 1951.

Relaxation zones have now been created in the atriums, where there will be gardens for gastronomic establishments that were previously absent on the colonnade. A creperie and a wine bar with a tapas bar will operate there. According to Bláha, the shops that were previously in the colonnade will shift from selling small souvenirs to more valuable items. Tenants have already been chosen for all the shops, who will begin taking over the operations in December and gradually equip them. "The plan is for the colonnade to be in all its glory for the opening of the springs in May next year," the director stated. An information center has also been added to the colonnade.

Luhačovice previously failed to have its spa inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list but could draw grants for restoration. The spa plans to further revitalize the area of the Hydrotherapy Institute and the River and Sun Baths. According to Bláha, Luhačovice should once again try to be inscribed on the UNESCO list in the future.