Czechia’s tallest towers are up for sale, but face demolition without repairs

Czechia’s tallest structures are looking for a new owner, but whoever takes them on will inherit a massive repair bill and the possibility that the iconic towers could eventually disappear.

The Liblice B radio transmitters near Český Brod, two 355-meter towers completed in 1976, have been put up for sale by Czech Radiocommunication (CRA) after losing their original purpose with the end of medium-wave broadcasting. The twin towers, which rank among Europe’s tallest guyed structures, are now facing an uncertain future. 

While local residents and preservation groups hope the site can be transformed into a new attraction or repurposed for emergency services, the current owner has warned that significant investment will be required to keep the structures standing.

CRA has not announced a fixed asking price for the Liblice transmitters, instead leaving the final amount open to negotiation with potential buyers. However, the company estimates that the new owner would need to invest at least CZK 170 million in urgent repairs and maintenance.

The most pressing issue is the towers’ anchoring system. Experts have determined that the existing support cables have a lifespan only until the end of 2026, with replacement costs estimated at around CZK 120 million. Further expenses would include anti-corrosion protection and carrying out a major overhaul of the elevators that run inside the towers.

The future owner would also be responsible for maintaining aviation warning lights and other safety systems, as the towers represent a significant obstacle for aircraft. CRA has warned that additional hidden defects may be discovered once detailed inspections are carried out.

Even demolition would be a costly undertaking, requiring extensive planning, environmental measures, waste removal and safety precautions due to the size and location of the structures.

The Liblice transmitters originally served as part of the country’s medium-wave radio network, but their importance declined with the transition to digital broadcasting. Medium-wave transmissions from the site ended in 2021, and the towers have largely stood unused since then.

Local initiatives have opposed plans for their removal, arguing that the structures have become a recognizable landmark of the region. The civic association Spolek přátel obce Liblice has suggested several possible future uses, including opening the towers to tourists or allowing them to serve emergency services or the military.

The towers are equipped with elevators reaching the top, which could potentially make visitor access possible if the necessary safety upgrades were completed. However, such a transformation would require a significant investment and agreement between the owner, authorities and potential operators.

The Liblice B towers have already survived previous threats to their existence. Smaller 150-meter transmitters at the nearby Liblice A site were demolished in 2004, while a 270-meter radio tower in Topolná in eastern Czechia was brought down in 2022.

For now, the fate of the country’s tallest structures remains uncertain. A new owner could preserve the towers and give them a new purpose, or they could become another piece of Czech engineering history lost to demolition.