In Náchod, the reconstruction of the castle hill is reaching its peak, and it will be completed in the autumn

Náchod – The extensive reconstruction of the castle hill in the center of Náchod is expected to be completed by autumn. The construction work, which began in July two years ago, is now reaching its peak, said Lucie Bidlasová, spokesperson for the regional heritage office in Sychrov. The investor of the project, which costs approximately 190 million crowns including tax, is the National Heritage Institute. Due to the ongoing works, the project will be about 14 million crowns more expensive than the price resulting from the tender.

The aim of the project, which has been in preparation for six years, is to stabilize the slopes, restore paths, drain the hill, renew greenery, and reconnect the castle with the center of Náchod. The main earthworks have already been completed by builders from the Litoměřice company Gardenline. "Now workers are finishing the modeling of the slope, completing the stairs, installing railings, assembling steel walkways, and planting is underway," said Bidlasová. Builders will also need to launch and test the irrigation system and install lighting on the southern side of the hill.

The hill below the Renaissance Náchod Castle was originally an open grazing area. In the mid-19th century, it was planted with fruit orchards. Since the mid-20th century, it has become overgrown with natural vegetation and turned into a deciduous forest. As a result, the southern slopes of the hill became unstable and slid in some places. The entire hill was covered with continuous vegetation, and some paths became impassable. The once-natural connection between the town center and the castle disappeared.

After the static stabilization of the slopes and drainage of the hill, it should no longer happen that rainwater floods the basements of houses in Masaryk Square at the foot of the hill. New paths will be created on the hill according to the road network established in 1820. The furniture and lighting will be new, and the greenery will undergo complete renewal. A new circular path along the contour line and an entry point for the path to the hill and the castle at Karlovo Square will be established.

The actual reconstruction of the hill is expected to cost 183 million crowns including tax, which is 14 million crowns more than the tender price. The reason for the increase in cost was unforeseen additional work during the cleaning of the southern slope down to the bedrock and the change in drainage of the southern part of the hill. Due to the planned new construction by the town at the foot of the hill in the Tepna area, builders had to implement drainage differently and elsewhere. Over five million crowns will be spent on project management, such as the author's supervision of the designer, technical supervision for the investor, safety work coordinator, and expert arborist oversight.

According to Náchod mayor Jan Birke (ČSSD), the renovation of the castle hill should attract more tourists to Náchod and the castle. "Tourism in Náchod has been on the rise in recent years; visitors like our town and are happy to return," he stated. The Náchod State Castle was visited by 27,134 people last year, when the season was affected by COVID restrictions. In the last pre-COVID year of 2019, attendance exceeded 43,000 people.