The reconstruction of the Vlašim castle park will be completed in spring

Vlašim (Benešov Region) - The second phase of the reconstruction of the Vlašim Castle Park, which is one of the oldest landscape parks in Bohemia, will finish in the spring. Restorers are completing the repair of one of its most significant monuments - the Chinese Pavilion. They should be finished by spring, said mayor Luděk Jeništa to ČTK.
    Part of the extensive repair of the Chinese Pavilion, which began two years ago, included, among other things, the restoration of fabric wallpapers and wall paintings. Restoring the attractive building to its original appearance will cost seven million crowns. Overall, the costs for the second phase of the park's reconstruction will amount to about 17 million crowns, of which 75 percent will be covered by EU grants and the remainder will be paid by the city.
    The first phase of the restoration of the castle park took place three years ago, costing 7.5 million crowns, with the European Union contributing 5.5 million crowns. The extensive works included, among other things, the repair of several historical buildings, such as the Old Castle, Znosimská and Vlašimská Gates, and the stone bridge. A new information center was created in the so-called Nebesář's House located in the castle courtyard. Two historical paths were also restored in the rocks above the Blanice River.
    According to the mayor, some water features in the park, such as two ponds, natural lagoons, or an island in the course of the Blanice, were also reconstructed last year. A three-year project for the restoration of greenery is currently underway as well. Funding for this has been provided by the Environmental Fund.
    The castle park in Vlašim, covering 75 hectares, is one of the largest English-style castle parks in Central Europe. It was founded around 1755 by Prince Karl Josef Auersperg in the valley of the Blanice River, on the site of a former garden and castle preserve. Over time, more than 20 different buildings emerged, including a Turkish mosque, a hermitage, wooden pavilions, and the Venetian spring. However, only a small part of these has been preserved.

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