More about the cross on its Registration Card, where there is also an outline and a side view of the pedestal.
After agreement with the owners of the land, which is registered as permanent grassland in the land register, the first intervention will be carried out on two old lime trees, which are already crumbling under the weight of their branches and thus threaten not only the cross itself but also people moving around them, including grazing cattle. The best option is to cut down these trees and plant two new ones. On 23. 8. 2021, an application for a felling permit was submitted to the Malečov Municipal Authority. The permit was issued in the form of a decision by the Malečov Municipality on 6. 12. 2021. Subsequently, the sandstone pedestal will be renovated, and a cast-iron cross will be created and installed after consultation with the National Institute of Natural History Ústí nad Labem by restorer Martin Šerák.
Řetouň I
On the basis of the permit, on 4. 2. 2022 the trees were felled, and by the end of April, the timber from the massive branches was cut and removed. During the summer, in cooperation with the co-owner of the land, the two remaining logs were taken to the sawmill for sawing.
During April 2023, it was agreed that the municipality would purchase two mature lime trees from the Gabriel Horticultural Society in České Kopiste, which would then be planted to replace the felled trees. On 3. 5. 2023, the locations where the lime trees would be planted were designated at the cross. On 31. 5. 2023, pits were dug at these locations, and on 24. 6. 2023, the trees were planted.
On 11. 12. 2023, stonemason Josef Sotona submitted a price proposal for the repair of the pedestal in the total amount of 56,150 CZK.
repair and reinforcement of the base: 17,600 CZK
addition and renovation of the stone: 16,800 CZK
water washing and chemical cleaning: 10,100 CZK
other materials: 6,450 CZK
transport: 5,200 CZK
On Christmas Eve 2023 in the afternoon, neighbors gathered at the chapel in Řetouň to sing Christmas carols accompanied by violins, recorders, and guitars. The President of the Society took this opportunity to start a collection for the repair of the pedestal of the cross. A prepared information leaflet was distributed to those present, which Michal Vítovec will then gradually deliver to individual houses in the village. As of 31. 3. 2024, a total of 22,050 CZK was collected in the form of donations! It works—we all feel a sense of belonging.
In the autumn, due to the dry weather, the lime trees shed their leaves earlier than usual. It was therefore interesting to observe with some anticipation whether the trees would sprout in spring. Yes, everything is fine. Photos from 23. 4. 2024 are clear evidence of this. Status as of 20. 5. 2024 without comment.
Information about the process of preparing a new cast-iron cross for the Řetouň I cross is stored with the Proboštov VII cross, as the type to be prepared will be identical for both crosses after agreement with the National Heritage Institute ÚOP Ústí nad Labem. The cross in the cemetery in Pohorská Ves near Nové Hrady serves as a model.
After previous discussions on financing the renovation of the cross with MAS Labské skály and the municipality of Malečov, it was agreed that the municipality would apply to MAS for a subsidy from the State Agricultural and Intervention Fund (SZIF). The application for a subsidy of an estimated 80% of the total cost was submitted on 10. 6. 2024. The cost of the stonework is 56,000 CZK (see above) and 185,000 CZK for the creation of a new cast-iron cross according to the itemized budget, which was created and sent by restorer Martin Šerák on 18. 5. 2024.
The application was accompanied by a written agreement from the owners of the land in question, confirming their consent to works associated with the restoration of this cross. Also included is the statement from the National Heritage Institute ÚOP Ústí nad Labem and the statement from the Department of Heritage Protection of the Magistrate of the City of Ústí nad Labem.
The road to the dream is sometimes winding, and the sun doesn't always shine. On 2. 7. 2024, Michal Vítovec from Řetouň discovered that the second young lime tree had also succumbed to the onslaught of the cattle herd. Last year, when the herd was also grazing here, everything was without problems. In the future, measures must be taken in agreement with the owner of the herd to ensure that the situation does not recur.
On 14. 8., the municipality of Malečov received a notification from the LAG Labské skály that the renovation of the cross was sufficiently evaluated in the internal assessment and was therefore included in the subsidy program of the Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
In the first half of December 2024, after consultation with Žaneta Barboříková, who uses the land around the cross for grazing cattle, an agreement was reached with Michal Vítovec from Řetouň that he will provide corner L profiles 60x60x4 and flat profiles 60x4 to construct a metal protective structure around each newly planted lime tree according to the attached drawing. Each corner support will be embedded 70 cm below ground level.
On 30 March 2025, the restorer Martin Šerák went to see the cross Řetouň I after installing the strut at the cross Malečov II. On its base he inspected the Golgotha, into which the cast iron cross will be placed, in order to determine the subsequent procedure for the removal of the existing metal part.
