Karlovy Vary are preparing to save Goethe's lookout above the city

Karlovy Vary - Karlovy Vary are preparing a project to save the Goethe viewpoint. The building, which is proposed for inclusion among national cultural monuments, has been deteriorating for about 15 years and is in a state of emergency. The city aims to secure funding for its reconstruction from the future Integrated Territorial Development Program, said Deputy Mayor Michal Riško to ČTK.
    "The city will do everything possible to obtain funds for the repair of the Goethe viewpoint in the next funding calls. However, that is just the first phase. The second phase will involve ensuring that there are no short-term tenants, as in the past, who were unable to operate the building economically, leading to its further decay. It is likely that the facility will be operated by one of the municipal companies," said Riško.
    The reconstruction project of the pseudo-Gothic excursion restaurant with an observation tower, built between 1888 and 1889 according to the design of the famous Vienna architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, is expected to cost 750,000 crowns. The city wants to have it prepared before the funding programs are announced.
    The reconstruction is estimated to cost around 13 million crowns. If the city receives a grant, it could cover up to 85 percent of the repair costs. Riško added that the city will likely announce a public collection to finance the reconstruction. City councillors have already promised to contribute to it.
    However, it is still uncertain whether the original restaurant will be restored within the building. The Goethe viewpoint is located away from the main spa paths and is over three kilometers from the center. Therefore, several proposals have been made to build a cable car to the viewpoint.
    Due to its uniqueness, the viewpoint was proposed as one of two in the country by the Club of Friends of Lookouts for inclusion among national cultural monuments.