In the end of 2011, the village of Štědrá acquired the local chateau. Despite limited municipal budget, the comprehensive restoration of this vast area started immediately, to be carried out in accordance with the heritage care principles. The chateau had deteriorated for years and faced the risk of complete destruction, but the municipality managed to save it.
Zámek ve Štědré, věž
During the second half of the 20th century, the chateau area in Štědrá was used by the nationalized farm complex and then by the local government. During these years, many damaging adjustments were made in the buildings. This unfortunate story was completed by the failed privatization in the early 1990s; the new owner left the buildings to decay and dilapidate. In the early 21st century, the conditions of the chateau were profoundly bad – the statics of outer walls and the trusses were damaged, the roof was leaking, and the central part of the southern façade collapsed.
Facing the risk of destruction of the chateau, the municipality of Štědrá started negotiating in order to purchase the area in 2010, and within two years the negotiations were successful. Immediately the restoration started, with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and Karlovarský Region. First, it was necessary to safeguard the chateau in terms of statics. Therefore, new roofing was provided, and the trusses and ceiling damaged by leaking water were repaired. Using the available documentation and the prints in the outer walls, the collapsed part of the southern façade was reconstructed, using the saved elements from the original structure, including the staircase, almost complete. Then the renovation of the interior started, returning the chateau to its original spatial arrangement. Most emphasis was put into preserving as many original structures and elements as possible – preserved old floor layers were restored, together with original wall paints and all preserved historic elements.
During the survey, the original chateau chapel was unexpectedly discovered. So far, the figural fresco has been reconstructed on the eastern wall, together with the stucco elements on the walls, all plasters and historic openings from adjacent rooms. In addition to the rooms at the chateau, the alcove chapel in the southwestern corner of the area was restored in 2018.
After the displacement of the original population in the second half of the 20th century in the Carlsbad area, many old heritage sites decayed or were destroyed. There was lack of interest in the heritage for years, and the situation isn’t easy even these days. That’s why it’s even more important to point out the activity of Štědrá – despite the limited budget, the village assumed the responsibility for the large heritage site facing imminent risk of destruction, and started renovating and restoring it immediately. The works are carried out in accordance with heritage care principles, using the results of historic surveys, but also responding to new findings and discoveries. Due to the strong effort of the municipality, local residents and many other volunteers, the chateau is returning to usable conditions, and it’s now certain it will be preserved for next generations.
Nominated for the Karlovarský Region by the regional center of the National Heritage Institute in Loket.
The municipality of Štědrá, represented by Mayor František Pánek (owner, investor), was nominated for the National Heritage Institute Prize, category: Renovation of the heritage site, restoration.
