Liberec - Liberec Region authorities decided to buy the national landmark Ještěd, which is owned by telecommunication company Radiokomunikace at the moment.

The estimated price of the pearl of Czech architecture is CZK 75 million.

The Liberec Region approved yesterday to purchase the transmitter as well as the adjoined hotel. "There is going to be a number of negotiations now and it would be premature to make any comment right now," said Information Department head Barbora Matoušová.

The future owner of Ještěd will play a decisive role in nominating the Liberec vista point for the Unesco heritage status.

To do so, the future owner will have to renovate the interior of the restaurant and the hotel trying to get back the original look. The interior was badly damaged by a series of reconstructions during the communist times.

It is more than clear now, though the costs of the renovation will be enormous.

The Ministry of Culture would like to nominate Ještěd for the Unesco heritage status in 2010.

Read more: Ještěd to be nominated for UNESCO list in 2010

Not against

České radiokomunikace support the sale of Ještěd. "There have been vigorous discussions with the Liberec Region and the town of Liberec authorities since November last year. Our common goal is to preserve the unique landmark and České radiokomunikace will hep as much as possible," said spokesperson Marie Fianová.

The telecommunications company has only one condition. "We want to have access to the broadcasting facilities and telecommunications technologies," said Fianová.

The other potential buyer, the town of Liberec has not expressed an interest in the sale.

"We were addressed, too. But we believe it should be the region to own the landmark, as Ještěd has become a symbol of the whole region," said spokesperson of Liberec town hall Martin Korych.

This upcoming weekend Ještěd is going to celebrate its 35th anniversary.