The region supported the completion of the Masaryk Tower of Independence in Hořice

Hradec Králové - The representatives of the Hradec Králové Region today supported the project in Hořice in the Jičín area to complete the heritage-protected Masaryk's Tower of Independence for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia. According to the partnership agreement approved by the representatives, the region will gradually contribute six million Czech crowns for the completion of the tower by 2020. The total costs are estimated to be 15 million crowns. If everything goes smoothly, the ceremonial completion could begin on October 28, 2018, and it could be finished two years later.

The city of Hořice will contribute over six million crowns for the completion of the tower. The remaining funds are to be raised by the city from various institutions, such as the Ministry of Defense. A fundraising campaign is also being prepared. "The announcement of the fundraising campaign is expected at the turn of March and April; we will reach out to citizens and companies," said Martin Pour, the deputy mayor of Hořice, to ČTK. The town hall has already started preparing the project documentation for the building permit for the completion.

The Tower of Independence began construction on July 10, 1926, on Hořický Chlum above Hořice, with President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk present at the laying of the foundation stone. By 1938, the tower had been built to a height of 25 meters, after which construction stopped. It is now planned to complete the tower according to the original project by architect František Blažek to the previously planned height of 40 meters.

The tower is built of sandstone, and the ground floor houses a museum and a memorial hall with the names of war victims from the Hořice area. At the top, there is an observation platform from which the panorama of the Giant Mountains can be seen. The very peak of the tower is topped with an astronomical dome. On the side wings of the building, there are patriotic reliefs depicting, for example, battles of the legions in World War I. The tower has been a cultural monument since 2014.

"The completion of Masaryk's Tower of Independence will symbolize the connection between the First Republic and today, and I believe it will become a significant tourist destination beyond our region. The support for the completion is part of projects tied to this year's anniversaries in October," said Governor Jiří Štěpán (ČSSD). According to Pour, the completion has significant symbolism and a strong story, of which there are not many in the Czech Republic.

Opposition regional councilor Jaroslav Kostelníček (ANO) criticized the financial co-participation of the region in the project. He claimed the tower is already functional, just a few meters shorter. "Everyone has gotten used to it, ..., suddenly we will be financing their construction, which not many people want," said Kostelníček. He described the region's contribution to the construction as wasted money.

After the start of construction this October, the main construction work should follow in 2019. The Hořice Secondary School of Sculpture and Stoneworking, which is managed by the Hradec Králové Region, should again participate in the completion.