The National Heritage Institute has no use for Doksany and wants to transfer the site

Doksany - The extensive chateau complex in Doksany in the Litoměřice region has long been falling into disrepair. The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) has no use for it and wants to transfer it to the Office for the Representation of the State in Property Matters (ÚZSVM), ČTK has learned. The repair costs are estimated at 400 million crowns. Next to the devastated buildings stands the renovated part of the women's Premonstratensian monastery, one of the oldest in the country.

The women's Premonstratensian monastery was founded in 1144 by Gertrude of Babenberg, the wife of Czech Prince Vladislav II. Her remains were later transferred to Doksany. Over the centuries, the complex expanded, with more buildings being added. After 1945, it was home to a state farm. The Premonstratensians from Strahov purchased the devastated northern part of the former convent from the state in 1997 and began its restoration in 1998. The church and crypt are owned by the church.

The state chateau area of Doksany is a cultural monument, encompassing 16 buildings. "Maintenance costs are considerable. Unfortunately, the area was not in good condition at the time of transfer. The need for significant investment was and is apparent. NPÚ is trying to ensure repairs and maintenance to the extent that is financially feasible for the institution," said NPÚ spokesperson Tomáš Pospíšil to ČTK.

In the past, NPÚ invested in the restoration of roofs and trusses of the prelature, convent, sala terrena, and buildings in the chateau park. The roofs of farm buildings, barns, garden houses, lodge houses, and granaries were restored.

The chateau complex also includes extensive park areas and courtyards, with a total area of nearly 11 hectares. "The costs for ensuring cultivation measures since 2013 have reached nearly 700,000 crowns," stated Pospíšil. In total, NPÚ has invested 8.5 million crowns into the complex.

The prepared project documentation for the repair of the internal sewage and water systems in the convent, repairs of roofs of corner buildings at the entrance object, and the roof of the entrance object estimates construction work at around 30 million crowns. The restoration of the entire chateau complex, including restoration work and the entire farmyard, would cost over 400 million crowns.

If the property is not transferred to ÚZSVM, according to Pospíšil, monument conservators will continue with the project to secure the roofs of the buildings in the first courtyard.

Movies are filmed at the chateau on average three to four times a year. "Accidental income from these filmings reduces the overall loss of the property. The funds obtained this way were used for the preparation of project documentation for the monument's restoration," Pospíšil stated.

The northern part of the convent is inhabited by the order's sisters, who restored religious life in Doksany twenty-one years ago.