The restored dance hall in Račí Údolí is on the list of cultural monuments

photo: www.georgshalle.cz

Jeseník – The area of the Art Nouveau dance hall with a park in Račí Údolí in the Jeseník region, which had long been in disrepair and was eventually taken over and restored by the municipality of Bernartice, has been included in the list of cultural heritage monuments. CTK reported today, citing the spokesperson of the Olomouc office of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), Vlastimil Staněk.

A few years ago, the municipality of Bernartice paid 300,000 crowns to Czech Railways for the dilapidated monument, and then, together with volunteers, began its restoration. "The successful rescue of this rare example of Silesian Art Nouveau architecture was the culmination of long-standing interest from the Olomouc office of NPÚ and the public. It was added to the list of cultural heritage monuments for its architectural and historical value, as well as for the exceptional approach to its restoration," Staněk stated.

The dance hall was built by the bishop of Wrocław, Georg Kopp, in 1906 and 1907. It was one of the popular excursion spots where lively social life took place. However, after 1945, it began to deteriorate rapidly. In 2014 and 2015, the municipality of Bernartice ensured the reconstruction of the dance hall. "The details of the restoration were also consulted with NPÚ heritage protectors. During the rescue work, the exceptional heritage values of this building were preserved, which is why it needs to be protected as a monument," Staněk added.

The fate of the Art Nouveau monument, which lies within the cadastral area of the town of Javorník, was long debated. Originally, the municipality of Loučná nad Desnou in the Šumperk region wanted to relocate the dance hall to its territory. The municipality planned to dismantle the dilapidated building and move it to the Kocián pond in Loučná, where it wanted to create a venue for cultural and social events. The proposal was supported by heritage protectors. However, the plan stirred up a wave of discontent in Javorník, and people even started signing a petition against the relocation of the monument. The municipality then abandoned the proposal, and the monument was restored in its original place.

"The dance hall, which is a testament to the earlier cultural life of the region, today serves not only for cultural and social purposes, but also as a stop for tourists, providing pleasant moments of rest in the local café and tourist information center," Staněk pointed out.

The dance hall in Račí Údolí won a poll for the Seven Wonders of the Olomouc Region in 2017, which promotes remarkable places and local landmarks.