Slatiňany will repair Cat Castle, a miniature of a medieval castle

Slatiňany - The town of Slatiňany in the Chrudim area will repair the Cat Castle, a miniature of a medieval castle, this year. However, it first needs an expression from heritage officials, said mayor Ivan Jeník (SNK-ED) to ČTK. It was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, where children from the noble Auersperg family and kids from the surrounding area played. The miniature is still freely accessible in the forest near the castle and is a popular excursion spot.

"It is used a lot, many children climb there. The paint has started to peel, and it has entered a worn state. The last repair was done many years ago when it was damaged by vandals who tried to tear down the turret," Jeník said.

Repairs were prepared, and the construction company has erected scaffolding. However, the work has temporarily halted because the town hall is still waiting for a statement from heritage officials. They will evaluate the repair process and the color choices of the coatings. The mayor believes that the repairs, costing several tens of thousands of crowns, will be completed as soon as possible due to the upcoming tourist season. "The old paint needs to be removed, the walls need to be primed, cracks need to be pointed, and they need to be waterproofed and repainted," Jeník said.

The town last repaired the Castle in 2012 after it was damaged by vandals, and before that in 2003. The Cat Castle was built by Princess Vilemína Auersperg for her children between 1898 and 1901. The miniature stone castle, influenced by Romanticism, stands on a sandstone cliff.

The Auerspergs owned the Slatiňany castle, which they had as their country residence. They gradually modernized it, with the building modifications preserved to the present day. The castle had a modern kitchen, central heating, and a food lift. The owners used it until 1945 when the castle was nationalized based on the Beneš decrees.