The Liberec Region will allocate five million CZK this year for the preparation of the restoration of the terraces of the castle in Zákupy

Zákupy – The Liberec Region will allocate five million crowns this year for the preparation of the renewal of the valuable Baroque terraces of the Zákupy Castle in the Česká Lípa region, and the same amount next year, while the city of Zákupy will contribute one million. The funds will be used for professional research, project documentation, and engineering activities necessary for the commencement of construction renewal, said Deputy Governor Květa Vinklátová (Mayors for the Liberec Region) to ČTK.

"It's not just about saving the historical walls or the sculptural decorations. We are restoring a unique landscape-architectural unit that is one of the most precious Baroque gardens not only in our region. Quality project preparation is crucial for a successful renewal and is also a prerequisite for obtaining additional financial resources for the reconstruction itself. Our goal is to return this exceptional monument to its original beauty and dignity,” added Vinklátová.

The terraces in the castle garden in Zákupy are a rare example of Italian garden style in the Czech Republic, but their current condition is critical. The greatest threat comes from structural damage and the subsidence of the vault underground. The site is also endangered by advanced degradation of the sculptural decorations, non-functional historical water features, and long-term vandalism. "The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) will ensure the funding for the construction,” added Vinklátová. According to her, work should begin within five years of the acceptance of the project documentation.

An agreement on cooperation in the restoration of the terraces was signed by representatives of the NPÚ, the region, and the city of Zákupy in April. According to NPÚ Director Nadějda Goryczková, such cooperation is exceptional. "Regarding heritage oversight and carrying out expert heritage care, we work very intensively with the regions, but it is not common for regional governments to support the funding for the renewal of a state-owned property. In fact, we are often excluded from grant projects," she said.

Zákup Castle is a national cultural monument and one of the most valuable in the Liberec Region. According to Goryczková, it is a unique example of an imperial residence in the Czech Republic. Although there are more residences of the House of Habsburg in the Czech Republic, only a few are accessible, and those, like Prague Castle, present different eras. The current appearance of Zákupy mainly refers to the second half of the 19th century when Ferdinand I. the Good lived there. The decorations were created by painter Josef Navrátil.

The site was one of the most neglected, but in the last ten years, the NPÚ has invested nearly 470 million crowns in it. The largest investment was the completion of the renewal of the southern part of the farmstead with Baroque stables for 374 million last year, and preparations are underway for the renewal of another part of the farmstead. The preparation of documentation for the renewal of the Baroque terraces is estimated to take two years, and the construction costs are preliminarily estimated at 100 million crowns.