The former laundry in Radun in the Opava region will be renovated

Raduň (Opavsko) - In Raduň, Opavsko, the reconstruction of the former castle laundry has begun, which is among the most endangered cultural monuments in the Czech Republic. The building, which has been deteriorating for years, will be transformed into a community and cultural center of the municipality by November 2011. The reconstruction of the so-called Vošárna will cost 5.8 million crowns, with the European Union contributing 5.3 million. Michal Sobek from the Regional Council of Moravia-Silesia, which distributes European funds in the region, informed ČTK.
    The goal of the reconstruction is to preserve the historical appearance of the Baroque building. "The vaulted and Prussian arches, wooden ceilings, and the external appearance will be preserved," stated Radim Frgala from the civic association KST Slezan Opava, which is involved in the reconstruction. By the end of the year, the floors should be excavated, structurally secured in places where the walls have collapsed, and sewage should be constructed, said Rostislav Müller from the Vošárna association to ČTK.
    This civic association, which saved the monument from demolition, performed the first rescue work by themselves. With the support of the Ministry of Culture in 2008, they built a new roof structure and last year covered the uniquely high mansard roof with slate.
    In just under a year and a half, several club rooms with amenities should be created on the ground floor of the building, and on the first floor, a large multi-purpose club room will be established. Among other activities, club evenings, children's performances, chamber concerts, and meetings of municipal associations will take place in the community and cultural center. There will also be a space for table tennis. "We want to bring life back to Vošárna. It should primarily serve the residents of Raduň and Vršovice," added Müller.
    The civic associations received a European grant from the regional operational program, with about 500,000 crowns coming from their own resources.
    The Vošárna near the Raduň castle has been deteriorating for decades; due to its emergency state, it was listed by the National Heritage Institute as one of the most endangered Czech monuments. The locally used name for the former laundry and drying room comes from the German word "wasch." It was built on the edge of the castle complex between 1793 and 1823. Laundry was washed there until 1948, after which people lived in it. In the 1980s, it belonged to several owners who brought the building to the brink of demolition.