The house for Havel's library is being examined by the heritage inspection of the Ministry of Culture

Prague - The Hradčany House near Drahomířin Sloup, which is to become the new seat of the Václav Havel Library, has been inspected by the cultural heritage inspection of the Ministry of Culture (MK). The director of the inspection, Martin Zídek, confirmed this to ČTK today. According to him, the results of the investigation cannot yet be made public. Some experts believe that the investor has already begun construction without permission. However, Prague heritage officials and the building department of Prague 1 state that the work complies with the issued permits. However, the chairwoman of the Club for Old Prague, Kateřina Bečková, criticizes the extent of the permits, claiming they go significantly beyond the scope of conservation and are more about preparations for construction.
    The project, which requires significant interventions in the 16th-century building, has been criticized from the beginning by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). Experts were particularly concerned about the extent of the basement excavation in the courtyard, which they deemed oversized, and were worried about the structural integrity of the building and its surroundings.
    The investor, whose statements ČTK is seeking, is aware of the inspection findings and has filed objections against them. The MK has commented on these and only after the investor receives a response will the inspection be able to publish the report. "There have been many errors, but the conclusion is clear: it has not been confirmed that work has been carried out exceeding the binding opinion of the heritage care department," commented the inspection results by Oldřich Dajbych, head of the building department of Prague 1, which is responsible for the decision-making on the reconstruction.
    The heritage-listed house on Loretánské náměstí was purchased two years ago by entrepreneur Zdeněk Bakala, whose foundation sponsors the activities of Havel's library. The reconstruction project was prepared by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. In addition to publicly accessible areas, the house is supposed to include accommodation facilities and a luxury private apartment.
    The investor currently does not have a building permit. According to people who have recently been in the house but wish to remain anonymous, construction work is being carried out in the house, with entire floors being removed. This was also reported by the show Reporters of Czech Television.
    The building office of Prague 1 issued a non-final zoning decision in January after a year of investigation, which was, however, contested by the participants in the proceedings within the legal deadline. This has blocked the entire building process. "The duration of the entire process is unpredictable; I estimate it will take five to six years," said Dajbych. Until then, the owner may not commence construction.
    However, with the blessing of the municipal heritage officials, the building office ordered emergency works in the spring due to the allegedly hazardous condition of the house. From the materials obtained by ČTK, it follows that the investor may, among other things, dismantle all wooden and metal items, including doors, windows including frames, metal railings, as well as the heritage-protected wooden wall paneling and also the credenza, i.e., items that were part of the apartment of the former First Lady Hana Benešová. Some items are to be returned to the house restored, while others may be stored in a depository.
    The heritage inspectors permitted the removal of ceilings, floor removal, conservation of the Baroque roof structure, and demolition work, which includes the removal of non-load-bearing partitions, in the binding opinion.
    "NPÚ staff visit the site on regular inspection days for the so-called emergency works within the framework of ensuring professional heritage oversight," said NPÚ spokesperson Zdeňka Kalová to ČTK. She added that NPÚ has been informed about the necessary securing works mandated by the construction department. However, NPÚ officials who visit the site do not want to comment on the state of the building.
    "The investor is doing nothing beyond the scope of our issued opinion," said Michaela Půlpánová from the Prague heritage department when asked by ČTK. Dajbych also stated that the modifications are in accordance with the issued decisions. The work is said to be necessary for the preservation of the monument. "Additionally, I have ordered the placement of geodetic markers today. We will check whether the building is indeed not collapsing ... and we may have to intervene more decisively," added the head of the department.
    Bakala bought the house as occupied, having reached an agreement on eviction with all tenants except one, who refuses even a relatively high severance payment.