The renovation of the historic greenhouse in the Valeč Castle complex will begin next spring

Valeč – Work on the restoration of the historic greenhouse in the Valeč chateau complex in Karlovy Vary will begin next spring. The long-anticipated investment will amount to 37 million crowns, which is 2.5 million CZK more than initially estimated. The costs will be covered by a subsidy from the Ministry of Culture. The greenhouse is expected to be completed in May 2023, said the chateau's curator Tomáš Petr to ČTK.

The reconstruction of the historic greenhouse has been prepared by the chateau's management for almost three years. At the beginning of this year, the project documentation underwent an update. The project modifications concerned, for example, a change in the heating system of the greenhouse to an ecological heating source, as well as changes to the layout of the space for running a restaurant, which is planned to be included in the greenhouse.

The National Heritage Institute, which manages Valeč, announced the contract for the first time in the spring of this year. "Unfortunately, during a time of great turbulence in the prices of construction materials, particularly glass and steel, the selected supplier withdrew from the contract just before signing. We then had to repeat the competition," the curator stated. Although the management of the chateau has already signed a contract with the company, the main construction work will not begin until spring.

The construction company will completely restore all parts of the greenhouse. They will also repair the emergency masonry, revamp the steel structures, the greenhouse will be newly glazed and there will be new engineering networks. Craftsmen will also restore the neighboring garden house, including a new toilet extension, and build a new observation terrace.

The intention of the chateau is to lease the spaces to a private operator, who will ensure the operation of the nursery and the maintenance of the greenhouse greenery. "We will offer interested parties the opportunity to operate a restaurant in an attractive environment with a naturally shaded observation terrace overlooking the baroque landscape and with winter seating in the greenhouse with warmth-loving vegetation. We will also offer the possibility to continue the already traditional potential for organizing weddings here," Petr said. The management of the chateau plans to announce a tender for the operator next year.

The chateau's palm greenhouse is located under the stables, carriage house, and farm building in the lower part of the chateau park. The building, made of steel and cast iron, dates back to the 1870s and 1880s when Count Vincenc Thurn-Valsassina had it brought from Vienna. It was last restored in 1996.