In Frýdlant, work is finishing on the regeneration of the historic square

Frýdlant (Liberec Region) - Work on the regeneration of the historic main square in Frýdlant in the Liberec Region is nearing completion. The repair is one of the largest investment projects in the city. Construction firms are finishing the final touches, the square has received new furniture, and the fountain is yet to be completed and put into operation, while the statue of Duke von Waldstein will be moved to its pedestal. It will return to the square after more than 60 years.
" Waldstein is already preparing for the move; he has received a facelift - a protective coating to better withstand the weather conditions," said Frýdlant Mayor Dan Ramzer to ČTK. The bronze statue of Waldstein has undergone restoration in recent years and has adorned the courtyard of the town hall for the last four years. The statue was made in 1934 in the studio of Raspenava sculptor Heinrich Scholz in Vienna, and after 1947, it nearly ended up as scrap. Originally, it stood on the fountain in the square, but now it will receive a separate pedestal. The old fountain, of which only a few segments have survived, has been replaced by a simple modern fountain and also water features embedded directly in the square's paving.
Frýdlant has been a protected urban heritage zone since 1992, primarily due to its medieval layout, which has remained unchanged to this day. The Renaissance and Baroque houses surrounding the square are also valuable. The town hall prepared the revitalization of the center for eight years. Throughout the entire time, a project was ready, but funding was lacking. It was only two years ago that the city succeeded in obtaining a grant from the Regional Operational Program, and construction could start last April. The entire project will cost approximately 40 million crowns, with the city contributing 4.6 million, while the rest will come from European and state funds.
At the beginning of last year, the revitalization of the square was the largest investment in the city in the past 15 years. However, it was completely overshadowed by constructions required by last year's floods. The major water flow that swept through the city a year ago caused damage to municipal property exceeding 285 million crowns, and the water in the square reached a height of one and a half meters. Repairs are still ongoing in the city.