The Zákupy Castle has a new roof for 89 million, restoring its historic appearance

Zákupy – The State Castle of Zákupy in the Českolipsko region has a new roof costing 89 million crowns, restoring its historical appearance. The work on its complete reconstruction began two years ago and was carried out while the castle was in operation. Exterior work is already completed, but craftsmen will continue working in the space under the roof until the end of June next year. They will also restore seven painted ceilings by the painter Josef Navrátil. This was stated today by the castle's curator, Vladimír Tregl.

The famous painter managed to repaint most of the destroyed original Baroque ceilings in the castle in the 19th century and also designed patterns for the wallpaper. The preservation of Navrátil's valuable creations was one of the reasons the Ministry of Culture allocated funds for the complete reconstruction of the castle's roof. "Previously, the roof was covered with a covering that did not correspond to historical reality, either in shape or material. It was also poorly fired, showing many defects, and there were holes in places. If it weren't for the foil that was on the lathing, water would have leaked significantly into the castle. It did leak even so, but not as much," the curator mentioned.

According to him, the reconstruction has returned the original beaver tail tiles and the chimneys that were demolished during the roof reconstruction in the 1970s. The gutters are new, and the roof framework has been repaired. The repaired gable on the castle's facade has also regained its original color. In the future, the entire facade is expected to return to its former yellow color. "I managed to convince the representatives of heritage protection to restore the castle's original coloration, as it was during the Habsburgs, and not this red and white that was invented by conservators in the 1960s," the curator added.

The state-owned castle is one of the most valuable monuments in the Liberec region and is a national cultural monument. The interiors of Zákupy primarily date back to the second half of the 19th century when the last crowned Czech king, Ferdinand I, Good-Hearted, resided there. He had the interiors remodeled and furnished in the style of the then-fashionable second Rococo.

In this year's shortened main season, from the beginning of June to the end of October, approximately 17,000 people visited the castle; however, Zákupy remains open every day except Mondays. On weekdays, only a few tourists visit for regular tours, while tens come on weekends. Tregl believes that one reason for the low interest is that people do not know the current anti-epidemic rules. "People simplify everything. When they hear in the media that Christmas events are banned, meaning large markets, they take it to mean that all Christmas events are canceled," he stated. According to him, up to 19 people can go for a guided tour of the castle without having to show any health confirmation related to the coronavirus pandemic, even those who are unvaccinated. The only condition for entry is to be healthy and to wear a respirator.

During the Advent season, the castle also offers evening tours, which, conversely, are in high demand according to the curator. "That surprised me, and I had to add more dates because some were quickly sold out. However, tickets for the evening tours can only be purchased online," Tregl added.