The ministry will initiate proceedings for the declaration of the Libeň Bridge as a monument

The bridge, which connects Holešovice and Libeň, is based on a design by the famous architect Pavel Janák. According to municipal assessments, it is in the worst condition of all Prague bridges. The repair and expansion are estimated to cost about two billion crowns. In 2009, authorities issued a building permit, which was extended four years later. However, construction has not yet begun.

The proposal to declare the bridge a monument was submitted as early as 2004 by the National Heritage Institute. However, at that time, the ministry did not declare the bridge a monument, citing that it could not be repaired while preserving its heritage values. The current petition was submitted in January by Adam Scheinherr from the Initiative to not demolish or expand the Libeň Bridge. "The ministry evaluated the petition, found it justified, and on this basis is initiating proceedings, which will require a number of additional materials," the spokesperson stated.

In recent days, the Czech Chamber of Architects and the Club for Old Prague, which are calling for the preservation of the Libeň Bridge, have been joined by the Czech committee of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). Prague 7 has also permanently rejected the expansion of the bridge by five meters. Many Prague road bridges are monumentally protected, from Karlův Bridge to the Legií Bridge, Hlávkův Bridge, Čechův Bridge, Mánesův Bridge to the bridge over the Rokytka stream.

"We are convinced that the Libeň Bridge has always been a significant and unique monument. We now also have a professional assessment that states it is repairable. Repairs need to be carried out quickly. Therefore, we hope that the next vote of the city council will decide in favor of a sensitive reconstruction, and that councilors will treat the bridge as a monument," responded the mayor of Prague 7 to the ministry's decision.