Textilní továrna Feigl & Widrich Textile factory

Feigl & Widrich, a former textile factory located in the North Bohemian village Chrastava in the Liberec Region, is a unique monument to industrial architecture. Built between 1904 and 1907 in the style of Art Nouveau with elements of Dutch architecture, the factory occupies an important place not only because of its history, but also its unified architectural rendition. The area located on the border of the Chrastav and the Angel Mountain cadastral under the address Anděhorská ul., No. 418 and No. 419 is today protected as a monument.

The history of the Feigl & Widrich factory begins in the period of the industrial revolution, when new architectural styles were emerging in Europe in response to technological innovation. The extensive area of the dyeing plant was built according to the project of the Liberec company Gustav Sachers Söhne, while the reinforced concrete construction was designed by Eduard Asta. These structures were published after completion in 1907 as a demonstration of the progressive solution of the industrial building, highlighting their architectural and technological innovation.

The architecture of the factory is characterized by Art Nouveau style with Dutch elements. The uniform representation of the mantle and interior, spread over six hectares, includes an administrative building, production halls, a boiler and chimney power plant, a doorway, a former water treatment plant and a greenhouse. This complex represents one of the most important monuments of industrial architecture in the region and is one of the few architecturally integrated industrial sites.

In 1921 the factory was sold to the Textilana Group, which was the first of the changes in ownership. After World War II, Czech wave plants, a national enterprise that was transformed into a national company Textilana, were active here. In 1962 there was another change in the functionality of the complex with the establishment of a mill instead of a colour. In 1974 the technology of the power plant known as Breitfeld-Danek was removed and the building was used as a warehouse. Production on the factory ceased in 1994, which meant the end of its original industrial purpose.

Since 2002, the building has been protected historically, highlighting its historical and architectural value. In 2004 production was restored under the new name Interlana, where lining and padding were involved. In 2006, the factory was purchased by the French textile company Branaldi, which planned to move part of its production to Chrastav. Currently, the owner of the boiler room building is Ing. Arch. Filip Horatschke, who intends to turn it into a cultural centre. The boiler room is now reconstructed and waiting for its new role.

Today Feigl & Widrich presents itself as a monument with a rich history, which is worth visiting not only for lovers of industrial architecture, but also for those who want to understand the development of industry and its impact on regional development. It is a reminder of the time when technological innovation and architectural art collaborated to shape the modern world. Visiting this area offers a unique view of the past and offers hope for its new future as a cultural centre.