UK announces a competition for the design of paving in the remains of the rotunda

The Charles University in Prague is preparing to make accessible the remains of the rotunda of Saint Wenceslaus, which were discovered in 2004 in the building of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (MFF) at Malostranské náměstí in Prague. As part of the reconstruction work, a partial restoration of the pavement on the original Romanesque floor will take place. The original pavement alternated designs of a lion and the mythical creature griffin. Information regarding its arrangement has not been preserved. Therefore, the university will announce a competition on Monday for the design of the restored pavement. Václav Hájek, its spokesperson, informed ČTK about this.

So far, it has not been possible to find the key with which the pavement in the rotunda was laid. Projects for Romanesque rotundas usually derive from cleverly hidden geometric and mathematical solutions. Therefore, experts believe that the alternation of the lion and griffin motifs was subject to some more complex mathematical combination.

The most important criterion for selecting the winning proposal for the arrangement of the pavement will thus be a written mathematical or artistic justification. The competition is intended for the university community. The starting point for the creation is several tiles whose original positions have been preserved. The university states that there can be a whole range of chosen solutions respecting the documented elements.

The 11th-century rotunda of Saint Wenceslaus was considered lost by historians and archaeologists for 376 years. Researchers searched for it in vain several times. Ultimately, the remains were discovered in 2004 by an archaeological team from the Prague National Heritage Institute. This year, the MFF UK has received financial support for the conservation and accessibility of this rotunda thanks to grants from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Applications can be submitted until March 3rd. The winning proposal will be realized in the rotunda in April. The restored floor will be symbolically presented to the public on the feast of Saint Wenceslaus on September 28th.