Merklín in the Plzeň region is renovating the castle, he has already invested 25 million CZK into it

Merklín – The village of Merklín in southern Plzeň with 1,150 inhabitants is gradually renovating the extensive chateau, which it acquired after 1990. It is completing the reconstruction of the cinema hall on the upper floor for more than four million crowns, which will be a social hall for up to 150 people. It is expected to be completed in November. The village has already repaired the roofs, built new gas heating, a library, and a meeting room. A total of about 25 million crowns has already been invested in this cultural monument. Jana Nováková, the mayor, told ČTK. (Independent Candidates Association).

"We have been renovating the former cinema hall for the third year, including the painting. We had to have a restoration plan made for the repair of the parquet flooring, and the conservation department issued a decision and instructions," she stated. The hall will have a new floor, sound system, and equipment.

The village has no space for organizing events. Although it took over the Sokol hall this year, it must wait for repairs that Sokol could not afford, as it also purchased the Kohout hotel in the square for 8.5 million crowns, whose private owner closed down. "It was a strategic decision so that we wouldn't have a hostel there," the mayor said. The hotel is to have small apartments, which are in great demand especially from people who cannot pay rent in large apartments. The project for the reconstruction with a building permit should be completed in spring. The designer estimated the costs at up to 40 million crowns. The village would have to build it in phases. "Subsidies are only given for social apartments, and the conditions for applicants are terrible," she said.

The village allocates several million crowns annually for repairs and operation of the chateau. "A lot for energy, it's really hard to heat," Nováková mentioned. The chateau has a wedding ceremony hall, an office, and a meeting room. "We have renovated a space on the ground floor for a library so that retirees do not have to go upstairs. We also use the library for municipal council meetings," she stated.

The village does not currently plan to open the chateau to the public. "Once the hall is reconstructed, we will have something to show off. During the summer, tourists occasionally stop by and come to ask. Of course, we won’t refuse them and will show them what they want," she said. There is no caretaker or custodian, so employees from the office conduct the tours. "We have two maintenance workers who take care of it," she added.

The entire roof has been completed at the chateau, with all phases of repair funded by the region. There is also a new boiler room and a library from the former caretaker's apartment. "We always have to respect all the demanding requirements of the conservationists, such as wooden floors and others," she mentioned.