Opposition fights for the rescue of the cemetery chapel in Ústí nad Labem

Ústí nad Labem - The fate of the chapel in the cemetery of the Ústí nad Labem district of Krásné Březno is uncertain. The more than 100-year-old structure has been deteriorating for years. Notably, significant historical figures are buried in this cemetery, including the Wolfrum family. However, the city council did not approve two million crowns for its preservation, and the opposition will attempt to push for the chapel's rescue again in the spring, said councilor and historian Martin Krsek (PRO!Ústí) to ČTK.

The central cemetery on Ovčí vrch was lost by the regional city during the times of socialism. Two large cemeteries remain, one in the Střekov district and the one in Krásné Březno. Several tombs belong to significant personalities from the city's history. "In Krásné Březno, we have one of the most important families in the industrial development of the city, which were the Wolfrums. They brought, for example, the first steam engine here," Krsek told ČTK.

The chapel, located in the center of the cemetery, has been decaying for decades. In 2008, thanks to pressure from experts, its demolition was prevented. The city had allocated 2.5 million crowns for it. When the demolition was called off, the city provided about 400,000 crowns to partially secure the roof, but it did not invest further into the chapel. Water is now leaking into the building again through the roof. For this reason, Krsek and his colleagues proposed allocating two million for the basic securing of the chapel. However, the proposal did not gain sufficient support from the councilors and did not pass. "We expected that for two million, we could at least repair the roof and thereby prevent further deterioration of this historic building," Krsek added.

The costs for the complete reconstruction of the chapel should not exceed five million crowns. According to Krsek, it could then serve both for memorial purposes and as a facility for the cemetery administration, which currently operates from construction containers. "The administration has nowhere to store tools for burials, so one tomb of the Baselt family is currently a storage space. In the sacred space of the main nave, funeral ceremonies could be held again, and it could be considered as an interesting space for a lapidarium," Krsek stated.

The cemetery is maintained by the City Services, a contributory organization of the city. According to city hall spokeswoman Romana Macová, the chapel's repair is in the investment reservoir. "The city, along with the contributory organization, will try to utilize a suitable grant program,” Macová told ČTK.

Krsek will attempt to push his proposal for the release of at least two million again in June. "It is city property, so theoretically there should be no one against it. I am not asking for money for any private purposes or nonsense. It is about city property; it is about the city's prestige, so I am convinced that majority support for this proposal will ultimately be found," Krsek added.