Control revealed a fundamental error in the repair of Charles Bridge

Prague - During the current restoration of Charles Bridge, the Ministry of Culture's inspection found that its aesthetic and artistic value has been significantly compromised. The non-conceptual repair of the railing has greatly damaged the authenticity and documentation function of this important national cultural monument, states the report from the cultural heritage inspection published by the office on its website today.
    The representatives of Prague City Hall received the inspection report on Friday, October 31. Since then, there has been a five-day period during which the city can raise objections against the inspection results. The restoration of Charles Bridge, one of the most significant Czech monuments, began last August. Builders are laying new insulation and also replacing stones in the bridge's railing. The progress of the work has been examined by the cultural heritage inspection of the Ministry of Culture since mid-July.
    "Every stone is a loss, but it is questionable whether it is technically possible to preserve it," said Pavel Jerie, director of the National Heritage Institute, to ČTK. He pointed out that the problematic repairs stem from the 1970s when the stone parapet was largely rearranged and the stones were bound with mortar, which holds very tightly. According to Jerie, the sandstone blocks then cracked under the pressure of this binding material.
    During the current repairs, geologists also assisted in determining what may and may not be dismantled, said Jerie. The stones being replaced in the current restoration mainly come from the 19th and 20th centuries. "When a geologist says that a certain stone will disintegrate within 15 years, it is questionable whether to leave it there and fix it again in ten years," he stated. Nothing can be viewed purely in black and white, he added regarding the cultural heritage inspection’s report.
    The Mott MacDonald company, which is conducting the bridge's restoration, stands behind its work. "Certain stones could certainly be discussed, but we consulted everything carefully with experts - with heritage specialists, bridge builders, and stonemasons," said Daut Kara, a representative of the firm, to ČTK. The stones are not just for decoration, but must also withstand something. The company has given the capital a 30-year warranty. "We are also criticized for not using traditional methods, but that would mean repairing the railing for ten years," Kara noted, adding that the repair could not be delayed and any postponement damages the bridge.
    According to the ministry's inspection, the national cultural monument has been deprived of "the exceptionally visually striking shape and color diversity and plasticity of the original solution reflecting the historical development of the bridge." The bridge has reportedly been harmed particularly by the extensive replacement of repairable authentic stones with blocks made of unsuitable sandstone and the alteration of the original stone carving.
    The newly assembled stone railing of the bridge is fundamentally at odds with its original appearance, according to the report. Many of the original blocks have been shortened or installed in different places. The new pieces do not match the original in shape and size.
    The current working approach, according to the inspection, is not quality craft work, which is essential for the repair of Charles Bridge. "In terms of standards for these specific works, the methods used are completely unacceptable. The stone blocks are installed crookedly and imprecisely, are being adjusted on site to conceal their poor installation. The modifications made evoke the impression of cheap and poorly executed cladding or facing," states the report.
    During the dismantling of the railing and adjacent parts, the stone blocks were sorted into those that would be returned and those that would be replaced with new stones. According to the inspection, the selection of stones for removal was carried out non-conceptually, without the conditions established by the state cultural heritage authority and to a significant extent. The number of discarded stone blocks significantly exceeded the amount identified by the diagnostic survey of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Charles University.
    Charles Bridge, which, along with Prague Castle, is probably the most famous monument in Prague, was commissioned by Charles IV. The foundation stone for the bridge's pillars was laid on July 9, 1357. The construction was undertaken by Charles's court architect, Peter Parler. Under his leadership, the entrance tower on the Old Town bank was completed between 1373 and 1380.