The viewing tower in Rudoltice will welcome its first visitors

Rudoltice (Orlickoústecko) - The lookout tower in Rudoltice in the Orlickoústecko region is coming back to life. After decades, the first visitors can enjoy the view. The accessible tower and also the cellar are the first phase of the reconstruction of the preserved remains of a baroque castle from the first half of the 18th century. The owner of the property and the architect from Lanškroun, Přemysl Kokeš, told ČTK.
"For nearly three hundred years, the property was never fully accessible. We will continue with the interior repairs and, I hope, finish them next year. We have returned the façade to its baroque appearance," Kokeš stated.
In addition to the viewpoint, after the repairs are completed, there are also plans for a tower restaurant, a lounge, and two apartments, Kokeš added.
The tower will be accessible from the morning hours, and the cellars will open two hours after noon. In the afternoon, bands Charlie Boys, Trap, and Fofr will perform for the castle visitors. A fencing group will also perform. Competitions and children's attractions are prepared for the kids, Kokeš stated.
The castle was commissioned by the owner of the Lanškroun estate, Jan Adam Ondřej from Lichtenstein. The elaborately designed castle was three stories high, based on an "H"-shaped floor plan. Each floor had 14 halls decorated with baroque stucco and wall paintings. The surroundings transformed into an extensive park.
However, the fate of the baroque castle is troubled. Just before completion in 1712, it burned down. After extensive repairs, the castle burned down again, and later most of the building was demolished. Only one corner tower remained. The cellars were converted into brewery lager cellars, and later a restaurant for excursions was established on the ground floor of the tower, which operated until 1945, Kokeš noted.
"After that, the property was only used by the public after 1968, when a scout clubhouse was established here. After 1989, the building was assigned to the town of Lanškroun," Kokeš said, who bought the property from the town in 2004 for the symbolic amount of 1,000 crowns. However, a condition was that the property must serve the public within three years.