In the fortress of Josefov, there could be a sanatorium for soldiers and police officers

Jaroměř - The extensive building of the former military hospital in the fortress of Josefov near Jaroměř in the Náchod region could potentially be transformed into a sanatorium for war veterans, former soldiers, police officers, guards, rescuers, or nurses in the future. According to Mayor Jiří Klepsa (Choice for the City), the city of Jaroměř would like to find a new use for the building constructed in the 19th century. The state should also help, as the thirteen-thousand-inhabitant town does not have the funds for the costly reconstruction.

The dilapidated building was inspected today by the outgoing Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) during his visit to the Hradec Králové Region. "I promised a meeting with the participation of the army, police, prison service, and others. We will certainly listen to the (information) about the project and see in what way and whether the state would be involved or not," said Babiš.

The town's previous efforts to utilize the hospital have been unsuccessful, and no investor appears on the horizon. "In the 12 years that the city has owned the building, we had about five entities interested not only in the hospital but also in the adjacent square barracks. All these plans fell through," said Klepsa.

"I believe that such a therapeutic and residential sanatorium for people in demanding professions like police officers, rescuers, or soldiers is missing in the Czech Republic," said Klepsa. The city itself, with an annual budget of up to 250 million crowns and a volume of possible investments of 20 to 30 million crowns, cannot afford such a demanding project worth hundreds of millions of crowns, according to him.

Klepsa mentioned that the city is now preparing a project to reconstruct a part of the fortress walls of the Josefov fortress. It is scheduled for the years 2019 to 2021. Its value is about 100 million crowns, of which EU fund subsidies could cover over 80 percent.

The military hospital and pharmacy in Josefov were among the largest facilities in the military healthcare system of Austria-Hungary at that time. The complex, built simultaneously with the construction of the Josefov fortress at the end of the 18th century, consists of a two-story building with four wings and dozens of rooms, halls, and other spaces. At one time, the hospital could treat up to 1,200 patients.

In 1968, the area was occupied by the Soviet army, which treated soldiers injured in the Afghan war in the facilities. After the departure of foreign soldiers, the Czech army acquired the hospital, and in 2006, the city of Jaroměř obtained the building.