Charles castle

After a long meeting, in 2018, the town of Hluboká nad Vltavou acquired the ruins of the Charles IV hunting lodge of Karlův Hrádek to its property. Since then, the new owner has been making every effort to preserve it for future generations. The project deals with experts, councilors and other enthusiasts and has developed a concept for the use of this as a historically interesting tourist object. Experts from the ranks of archaeologists, conservationists, builders as well as environmentalists and specialists in modern technology were invited to the meeting. The whole group is covered by geologist, climatologist and writer Václav Cílek, who has been cooperating with Hluboká for several years.

 

The first step in the process was to create sub-groups focused on individual activities. The archaeological group under the leadership of Mr. Ondřej Chvojka from the University of South Bohemia and other experts is working on defining the type of archaeological survey to be carried out here. The group under the leadership of Mr. Jiří Havlica from NPÚ České Budějovice, consisting of builders, landscape painters and others, will have expert supervision over the conservation of the building according to the proposed procedure. All these steps lead to the overall revival of this exceptional place, and this was taken care of by the group headed by Mr. Václav Kinský, the forester, author of the interactive exhibition Les pramenů (Forest of Springs), and the councilor of Hluboká nad Vltavou, Mr. Jindřich Soukal.

When implementing the project, the city intends to use the available subsidy titles, such as the preservation and securing of the ruins, building access from water, creating information boards, rest areas, organizing professional workshops for students, etc.

 

Last year, the first phase of liquidation of unsuitable vegetation, removal of airborne trees, which destroyed the preserved masonry with their roots, and risky bark beetle trees took place at Karlův Hrádek. Their removal allowed the conservationists to scan the ruins to create a 3D model for their further research. In addition, in 2018, project documentation was drafted for the renewal and revitalization of access routes for cyclists and pedestrians, newly also for access from water. Monuments and designers have professionally secured the entrance gates in the form of a wooden structure. The gate is, according to them, one of the most interesting architectural elements. The temporary structure will be removed later. The town of Hluboká nad Vltavou has concluded an agreement with the University of South Bohemia on joint action and cooperation, consisting mainly in the protection, presentation and further development of the immovable cultural monument of Karlův Hrádek. The university will carry out rescue archaeological and exploratory research on the basis of this treaty and will create a so-called "archeopark" for the public. Heritas Studio has developed project documentation for static security and complete building conservation.

 

There is a plan to restore the footbridge and the next phase of the destruction of risky infected trees. The main task is to obtain funding from the available subsidy titles for all these activities. The establishment of a foundation fund, the establishment of cross-border cooperation and the creation of the concept of cultural use of the ruins are already being considered. We are working on creating websites where we will inform you about ongoing activities.

Thank you for taking care of safety when entering the ruin area and trying to preserve this unique object with us for future generations.