Lihovar Other

Welcome to Ostrea's. You are standing in front of a unique set of industrial buildings that carry echoes of ancient times when this region began to grow sharply and change its face. In front of you is the site of the former distillery, which will impress you with its size and appearance at first glance. It is a place where the functionality of industrial production meets with aesthetic care for appearance, which creates a very special and fascinating atmosphere. Feel this space as an open book that tells about ambition, technical progress and human work from the late nineteenth century.

Now, let's stop at how people got to this place and why they were created here. It's the year of eight hundred and ninety-nine. At this time Vilém Grauer built a distillery whose main purpose was the production and refining of molasses alcohol. Melase, which is a thick syrup produced from sugar processing, served as a basic raw material. At the time it was a very modern company, which was one of the best in the field with technology and organization. Vilém Grauer was not only an entrepreneur, but a person with a vision who knew that an industrial object might not just be a grey place of work, but may also have its dignity.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself before you. Note that the buildings are performed in the spirit of romantic historicism. This means that architecture deliberately builds on older styles to give buildings a certain character and meaning. Please take a look at the main production facility. It's a fascinating view because the building doesn't just use industrial shapes. Notice the elements that resemble ancient fortifications. You see the tower with the battlements and the bastion. It is very unusual for elements of the castle or fortress to appear on the distillery. It acts as if the production of alcohol should be protected as if it were in a non-edible citadel.

In addition to the main building there are other important parts. Take a look at the surrounding warehouses and offices that complement the entire complex. Note also the official house where the entire operation was probably managed and where the people responsible for running the business lived. The whole set of buildings is a harmonious whole, which today shows us how large plants have been built in the past.

Now I beg you to point your eyes above. Notice the high cylindrical chimney. It is built from unwashed bricks and its height is 44 meters. This chimney was the heart of the boiler room and is now one of the most distinctive visual symbols of the entire complex. Imagine the smoke rising from it, which was a sign of prosperity and constant movement at that time.

Speaking of people who have left a trail, we must mention the founder of Grauer and the architect. The first was Julius Lundwall, which gave the buildings their original form. Later, in a thousand and nine hundred and fifty, the Emil Žitný came. He took care of the modernization of the distillery and proposed the construction of a yeast plant. It is thanks to its project that the company has adapted to the new times and technological demands of the mid-twentieth century. It is interesting to see how production needs have changed over the decades and how it has been reflected in the construction of new parts of the complex.

Now, let's do something that might surprise you. Most of us can only imagine making alcohol under the word distillery. However, this place was much more complex. In addition to pure alcohol, other chemicals were produced, namely ether and amyl acetate. This shows that this was not just about simple distillation, but about actual chemical operation, which used the most modern knowledge of science. Imagine the specific odour that must have surrounded the site when these substances were being processed here. It was a place full of dynamism, noisy machines and intense smells.

For many years there has been heavy industrial operation, but time has gradually changed the role of this place. In the year two thousand eight, the whole building was officially declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This is an important moment, because this recognition confirmed by the state that this distillery is not just an old group of buildings, but a valuable testament to our industrial history, which is essential for future generations.

When you look at these walls today, think about how many thousands of people have worked here in decades. How much sweat has been taught here, how much trade and technology have been discussed. This area in Dubai is a silent witness to the changes of the entire Ostrava region, from the flourishing industry to the state management period to today's conservation status.

I suggest you now quietly wrap the entire area and from different angles observe the game of light and shadows on brick surfaces. Take a look at the details in the brick rock and look again at the unusual tower with the battlements, which makes this place such a unique monument. Try to imagine what this space looked like in a thousand eight hundred ninety-ninth, when everything was new and modern.

Thank you for walking together through the history of this fascinating place. I hope you enjoyed the view of this architectural jewel in Dubai. It is now up to you whether you continue to discover other corners of the area, or say goodbye to this monument in silence. I wish you a pleasant rest of the day and many other wonderful experiences in discovering our historical treasures. Goodbye.