Proboštov

More about this war memorial on its Registration Card.

Renovation work began on August 19 and 20, 2023, with a thorough inspection and a survey of the "imprint" left by the stolen bronze sword. In one photograph, a red circle marks the bronze pin that was used to attach the sword to the monument. Unless a historical photograph showing its shape is found, the form of the sword will be consulted with the National Heritage Institute, ÚOP Ústí nad Labem.

During this process, surveyor Radina from Proboštov offered to survey the monument and its surroundings. Additionally, Tomáš Jelínek from Proboštov volunteered to help with the renovation and recalled that a truck once accidentally (due to faulty brakes?) reversed into the monument, shifting it. The impact apparently caused one of the "supporting" stone elements to crack.

On Friday, August 25, 2023, a search of the marked site was conducted following information from a local resident that "some" remnant of the monument should be in front of the retaining wall. The top section of the monument has been found!

From the only photograph of the monument discovered so far—of completely inadequate quality—it is evident that a stone sphere was placed at the very top of the monument, above the recovered part.

On Monday, September 4, 2023, the top part of the monument was retrieved and transported for storage until the monument's reconstruction. After washing, the entire inscription is clearly visible in Czech translation: Dedicated by the Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Municipality of Proboštov.

On October 6, 2023, a meeting took place at the site of the monument between the chairman of the association and Jiří Bureš, an employee of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ ÚOP Ústí nad Labem), who specializes in the history of World War I memorials in the Ústí nad Labem region. The design of the retaining wall in front of the monument and the sword—stolen and now only visible as an imprint on the monument—were discussed.

Following the meeting, a drawing of the post-renovation state was commissioned. Subsequently, a building notification will be submitted to the relevant building authority. A drawing of the sword, compared with a historical photograph (see Inventory), was also created. The sword's production, in bronze, was commissioned to a foundry in Česká Kamenice.

On October 8, 2023, a fundraising campaign was launched to collect the necessary amount for the monument's restoration. More details on the special account for war memorial restoration can be found HERE.

Pavel Matoušek from Ústí nad Labem created a highly detailed 3D model of the current state (as of October 8, 2023).

On November 14, 2023, the site was visited by stonemason Josef Sotona. On November 28, 2023, he provided a price proposal totaling CZK 99,580:

• Dismantling and reassembly: CZK 9,800
• Pressure washing and cleaning: CZK 3,800
• Repair and reinforcement of the foundation: CZK 18,300
• Repair of damaged elements: CZK 8,600
• Regrinding and refinishing: CZK 20,800
• Gilding of inscriptions: CZK 17,280
• Material, transport, and production of granite spheres: CZK 21,000

The proposal does not include auxiliary work, such as crane rental or similar equipment for dismantling and reassembling the repaired stone components.

Once the cost of producing the bronze sword is determined, a grant application will be submitted. The entire construction, including the retaining wall, will be entrusted to a construction company, which will subcontract the work of Josef Sotona. The estimated total cost is approximately CZK 200,000. The possibility of applying for an 80% subsidy in 2025 has already been preliminarily discussed with the LAG Labské skály.

In order to obtain a subsidy from the LAG Labská skály, it was necessary to determine the costs of repairing the wall and its surroundings according to the prepared drawing documentation, in addition to the costs of the stonework (see above). On 19. 5. 2024, the contacted company submitted a quotation of approximately 300 thousand CZK including VAT. The total cost of the monument renovation would thus amount to 400 thousand CZK. With an 80% subsidy, this would mean an expenditure of 80 thousand CZK for the municipality of Malečov. For this reason, on 27. 5. 2024, a preliminary agreement was reached with the mayor of the municipality that the renovation of the monument itself will primarily be funded from the association's and municipality's resources, while the wall and surrounding area will be repaired with the help of volunteers.