The Laundry Rinse, intimately situated at the foot of the so-called Jewish Hill, was most probably created in the 18th century and, thanks to local merchant and museum curator Quido Šimek, also came to be known as the “Fountain at the Virgin Mary” due the associated image of Madonna. This pleasant sanctuary, with benches below the crowns of chestnut trees, was a popular place with an almost spa-like character. The original function of the Laundry Rinse gradually changed to a more decorative one. In 1941, local builder, František Vlach, modified the shape of the reservoir.
Substantial changes to the area were carried out in 2005, when the co-designer of major modifications within public spaces in the town (01-VP2, 01-VP3, 02-VP1), architect Aleš Burian, came up with a project for its reconstruction. Two springs of water were created and a wooden “marina-style” decking was installed around the perimeter of the illuminated water surface. The work included relaying the cobblestones in Mariánská and Na Máchadle Streets and also restoration work on the Fountain at the Virgin Mary, carried out by students of the local Institute of Restoration and Conservation Techniques (03-3).
The restored Laundry Rinse is, with the exception of the chateau hill, the only water attraction in the historical centre of the town.
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