EU funding has enabled the restoration of the colonnade complex in the centre of the spa town of Luhačovice, in Czechia’s Central Moravia region. Consisting of the Great Colonnade, the Little Colonnade and Vincentka Hall, as well as some adjoining buildings, the complex is an important cultural monument within the Luhačovice spa, an area which has been nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Colonnade complex in Czech spa town of Luhačovice restored to its former glory
- 11 May 2020
The value of the project is in rediscovering the original identity of these amazing buildings, which had started to disappear a little over the course of 70 years, either due to various interventions or limited care. In addition, the activities offered in the spa area will be more attractive and bring in new visitors.
Under the project, skylights and new lighting were installed, the windows replaced and the mosaics in the colonnades repaired. An interactive exhibition on the mineral waters in Luhačovice, which are noted for their medicinal qualities, was set up in Vincentka Hall.
A new drinking fountain has re-established the supply of mineral water from the Amandka spring to Vincentka Hall. Water from the fountain is available to visitors even outside the hall’s opening hours.
Work on the courtyard and the atriums involved replacing the paving and landscaping. As a result, the atriums, which were previously closed to the public, can once again be accessed. Further elements of the project included rebuilding a retaining wall and upgrading the water distribution and rainwater drainage systems and public toilets.
A unique example of functionalist architecture
Built in the late 1940s according to a design based on contemporary urban studies and formulated by Brno architect Oskar Poříska, the colonnade complex represents a late example of the functionalist architectural style. This style emphasised purpose and function as the key factors in determining the form of buildings.
One of the main intentions behind the construction of the colonnades was to enclose the square on which they stand with individual monumental buildings. Other significant structures on the square include the Jurkovič House, the Social House and the Bedřich Smetana House, all of which are spa hotels.
The scale of the colonnades ensures that they blend in with the buildings, thereby forming an essential element in the organic development of the Luhačovice spa. Their elegant sweep complements the Jurkovič House, which, with its half-timbered and art nouveau façades, is one of the most prominent buildings in Luhačovice. Sitting at the foot of Velká Kamenná hill and connecting the adjacent forest with the square, the colonnades fit in with the surrounding natural environment.
Preserving heritage and attracting visitors
Over the 70 years since their construction, inappropriate structural interventions and a degree of neglect led to the colonnades and the Vincentka Hall falling into disrepair and losing their unique character.
By restoring the complex to its original condition, the project has preserved a vital part of Luhačovice’s cultural heritage. This, combined with the wide range of activities on offer at the Luhačovice spa, has increased the attractiveness of the town to tourists.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Revitalisation of the colonnade, Vincentka Hall and related buildings in Luhačovice nominated for UNESCO registration” is EUR 4 066 396 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 3 456 437 through the “Integrated Regional Operational Programme” for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Upgrading of cultural heritage sites”.