Reconstruction of Karlovo Square in Třebíč

Karlovo náměstí is the most important urban space in Třebíč and contains elements that create a picture of the city's historical development. The central area of the square is divided into western and eastern parts. The western part serves primarily as a gathering space – a venue for markets and fairs, folk festivals, and cultural events. The eastern part of the square is designated for the needs of public transport and parking of passenger vehicles, supplemented by a recreational area with a fountain, a solitary tree, and benches. The eastern part also serves as a transfer area for public transport, with stops arranged on both sides of the central section. Around the perimeter of the central areas of the square, roads are led with longitudinal parking spaces. A new organization of traffic in the entire square area is being addressed. The intention is to calm the square area, which will be most evident in limiting personal vehicular traffic in the western part of the square. On the outer perimeter along the commercial ground floor of the buildings, significantly widened sidewalks with tree rows are proposed to allow for the placement of outdoor seating for restaurants and cafés. The original surfaces in the area of Karlovo náměstí were created from a heterogeneous set of materials. We unified all surfaces using traditional local material – granite and treated the central areas with a uniform artistic element – diagonal stone lines, stemming from the original paving from the 1960s. With regard to the hygiene requirements of the legislation on health protection against adverse effects of noise and vibrations, it was necessary to use an asphalt surface on the road leading from Jejkovská to Jihlavská Gate. In other areas, the existing worn granite pavement was reused, which was taken up, supplemented, and newly laid.

The square area has been furnished with new, high-quality furniture that ensures sufficient seating, refreshment options, and relaxation. The selection of furniture emphasized natural materials, quality design and craftsmanship, safety, durability, and easy maintenance.

We proposed to restore original artistic elements to the square, such as fountains along the longitudinal axis of the square, and to fully rehabilitate the existing accent – the monument to Cyril and Methodius. The new fountains connect in their placement to the original composition of the former baroque fountains. The fountains will not only be a significant aesthetic element but will also contribute to improving the microclimate and comfort in the square area. In the western part of the square, there is a fountain – a golden ring from the atelier H3T architects according to the results of a public competition. In the eastern part, there is a fountain designed as part of our project. In the central area of the square, we placed 12 bronze plaques embedded in the level of the pavement, in relation to the stone benches in linear compensatory steps. These plaques contain relief text presented typographically, recalling important time milestones in the development and history of the city.

The new arrangement of the square includes the restoration of double rows of trees in a relatively loose alignment along the southern and northern sidewalks of the square. The new tree planting involves the selection of a traditional taxon of the ornamental tree form – Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' (Callery pear), which corresponds to the species and cultivars that have long been established in the environment of historical cities and are linked to the prevailing era of the surrounding building stock.