Red Castle in Hradec nad Moravicí / Atelier 38

© BoysPlayNice

In 2015 Atelier 38 was commissioned to restore the main building of the castle of Hradec nad Moravicí after different stages and fires. Previously, in 2001, the castle complex had been declared a National Cultural Monument.

Red Castle Technical Information

• Architects: Atelier 38
• Location: Městečko 2, 747 41 Hradec nad Moravicí, Czech Republic
• Client: Národní památkový ústav (National Heritage Institute)
• Built-up Area: 4,700 m2
• Budget: 2,400,000 €
• Building from: 1880
• Project Year: 2015 – 2017
• Construction: 2017 – 2019
• Photographs: © BoysPlayNice

At the close of World War II, the castle was damaged during the bombing, and partially burned down; in the post-war years it was temporarily repaired.

Red Castle Renovation Photographs

© BoysPlayNice

© BoysPlayNice

© BoysPlayNice

© BoysPlayNice

© BoysPlayNice

© BoysPlayNice

© BoysPlayNice

The castle area of Hradec nad Moravicí is situated on the territory of the low mountain range of the Nízký Jeseník, in the area of southern Silesia. Its area is one of the largest in the Czech Republic: in addition to the Červený zámek (Red castle), it includes Bílý zámek (White castle), Bílá věž (White tower) and a park. In 2001, the castle complex was declared a National Cultural Monument.

Červený zámek is an important social and cultural center. Among other things, it hosts the international interpretation competition and music festival “Beethoven’s Hradec” and the large cultural festivals “Hradecký slunovrat” (Hradecký Solstice) and “Hrady CZ” (Castles CZ). This romantic neo-Gothic castle, with its numerous turrets and battlements, is ranked among the “most fabulous” in the country.

History

The stables complex (the so-called Červený zámek) was built in the 1880s, according to a design by Wrocław architect, Alexis Langer. The inspiration came from the North German Gothic castles, specifically the Crusader castle Malbork, in present-day Poland. Prince K.M. Lichnovský placed a stable here for his English thoroughbreds, with a depot for buggies and carriages, a carriage house/blacksmith’s, and other operating rooms and cellars. It also included a residential tower with guest rooms, a clock tower, and the main entrance gate to the entire castle complex.

The history of the 20th century was reflected in the function and appearance of the stately home, along with its political and economic twists.

Prince Lichnovský’s interest in stables diminished with his growing passion for motoring. After the Lichnovskýs left Hradec as their main residence in 1913, the building definitively lost its original purpose. During the First World War, the stables were used by the army as a hospital for the wounded, and for sick horses from the Eastern Front.

In the 1930s, the Lichnovskýs sought to demolish the then virtually unused building. Due to the high interest in local history and tourism – “it would hurt tourism very much, and damage the landscape character of the whole town” – however, the state administration of the young Czechoslovak Republic did not support their intention.

At the close of World War II, the castle was damaged during the bombing, and partially burned down; in the post-war years it was temporarily repaired. After refusing to place a state stud farm here, the stables were converted in 1954-59 into a restaurant with a hotel and socio-cultural spaces. In 1972, a part of the building burnt down, and the condition from the renovations from 1975 has been preserved up to this day.

Reconstruction of a Heritage Listed Building (2017-2019)

During the first phase of a reconstruction and restoration it was essential to secure structurally unstable masonry walls, vaults, balconies and roof trusses and to replace roof tiles and dormers.

The intent was to retain original masonry walls as much as possible.

The castle`s façade made from red face bricks with red sandstone inserts was decorated by handcrafted elements – such as coat of arms, engraved slabs, gargoyles, mascarons, rosettes, end pieces, statues of basilisk and chimney heads. The original stone miniature of the “Tower” was returned to the top of the gable of the Upper Stables.

The vaulted space of the Lower Stables (the former hospice for wounded horses) was restored into its original layout and monumentality. Today it is used for exhibitions, concerts as well as a glyptotheque – to store the original statues and roof and façade stone fragments.

The pitched dormers were built according to the 1950s scheme to suit today’s demand for an accommodation. Slate tiles were used for the roofing to minimize flashing details – to create a valley, a hip, a ridge, and a gutter.

The courtyard was unified again to provide a platform for cultural events. Wall to wall paving is entirely from granite in order not to compete with the romantic expression of the Červený zámek (Red Castle). A so-called hidden water fountain enhances pleasant microclimatic conditions, especially during hot summer days.

Hradec nad Moravicí Plans

Floor Plan | Credit: Atelier 38

Basement Floor Plan | Credit: Atelier 38

Credit: Atelier 38

Elevations of the castle | Credit: Atelier 38

Elevations of the castle | Credit: Atelier 38

Red Castle in Hradec nad Moravicí Image Gallery

About ATELIER 38

ATELIER 38 is an architectural and design studio. In 2000, a loose association Atelier 38 transformed itself into the existing limited liability company. We focus on teamwork, realization of contracts using both classic and alternative technologies, continuous education and development in state-of-the-art procedures, and trends in our field of expertise including respecting the ecological aspects. We cooperate with a number of experts in technical infrastructure design, technical provisions of constructions, statics, and others.
Other works from Atelier 38

1. Authorized Architect: Jan Zelinka
2. Authorized Engineer: Luděk Valík
3. Materials: Roofing – slate, Flashing – titanzinc, Timber trusses – pine, Brick Masonry – fired clay brick, Stone Details – red sandstone, Stone Masonry – locally sourced natural stone, Courtyard’s paving – granite, Stable’s paving – brick paving
4. Collaboration: Statics: MARPO |  Fire protection: Petr Matějek | Environmental engineering of buildings, heating and ventilation: Cond Klima | Gastro: Mava | EPS: BESCOM | www.bescom.cz
5. Contractor: Roof trusses and roofs – H&B Delta VsetínDrawings

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