At the end of July, an archaeological survey will begin at the Copa Center

Prague - At the end of July, archaeological research will begin at the site of the planned construction of the Copa Center, which is to be built above the Národní třída metro station in Prague. This was agreed upon today by representatives of the archaeologists and the investor; they plan to sign a contract at the beginning of next week. ČTK was informed by Tomasz Cymbalak from the Prague office of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ).
    Archaeologists expect that they may find Gothic cellars at the site, and they do not rule out other surprises. For example, a Jewish cemetery was located very close to the planned construction site. They consider the excavations here to be one of the last major archaeological investigations in Prague. According to them, it is technically very demanding due to the time pressure for its quick completion. The research here will last about five months.
    The archaeological excavations were originally supposed to begin at the beginning of July, but the deadline has been gradually pushed back. According to today's agreement, archaeologists will supervise the site starting July 27, and the actual excavations could begin in August. However, the investor must first transplant mature trees, relocate a glass fountain, and remove about a meter of modern backfill.
    A multifunctional Copa Center is planned to be built on the site for approximately four billion crowns. It will include apartments, offices, shopping arcades, and parking for 250 cars. Construction is expected to last about 20 months. The entire metro station will also be renovated, during which trains will pass through the area for about ten months.
    What exactly awaits archaeologists at the site during their research is still unknown. During the construction of the metro station in the 1970s, the research was only partially conducted here. They aim to explore nearly 3,500 square meters, which is more than half of the entire construction area. Part of it has been damaged by modern buildings, but scientists expect that intact sites will be found beneath their cellars. However, the area may also have been disrupted by jet grouting from the metro construction or the machine room of the glass fountain.
    Archaeologists hope that the research will not only help preserve archaeological monuments but will also answer questions about what local settlement looked like when the New Town was founded by Charles IV or when the first stone houses were built here. They do not rule out older finds from prehistory.
    They do not yet know exactly how long the research will take. They anticipate four to five months. “We are willing to adapt our research strategy so that construction can also proceed simultaneously,” said Michal Tryml from NPÚ. The investor is not the only one pressuring for a quick completion of the excavations; the city hall is also involved. It wants to minimize the forced closure of the metro station due to public opinion.
    To expedite the research, Prague archaeologists have sought help from their colleagues at the Opava branch of NPÚ. They are also considering cooperation with other Prague institutions and want to employ Prague archaeology students. They estimate that the number of people employed by the excavations will range from 50 to 100.
    They will need to dig to a depth of about 3.5 meters, but in some places there may be deeper features, such as wells, pits, or trenches. Since four underground floors are planned under the Copa Center, builders will excavate soil down to a depth of about 16 meters. Thus, all sites will be destroyed.
    Archaeologists hope to negotiate with the investor regarding the possible preservation of Gothic cellars that should be located at Spálená Street. They are aware of their existence but do not know in what condition they are. At least part of them could potentially be incorporated into the construction of the building.
    NPÚ employees want to regularly publish the progress and results of the research. They plan, for example, open house days, the creation of a website with up-to-date information, and they would also like to place a screen in front of the building to project the results. However, the investor, who will finance the entire research by law, must agree to this. The excavations will cost about 0.6 percent of the total construction costs; in Western Europe, according to archaeologists, it ranges from two to three percent.
    NPÚ did not agree with the construction of the Copa Center, but the supervising municipal department for heritage care eventually allowed it. The Heritage Institute is also dissatisfied with the design of the elevator that is to open between the Baroque church and the Cubist palace on Magdalény Rettigové Street. According to them, the exit is too bulky and devalues the view of the monuments in the vicinity. According to Jan Kněžínka, head of the municipal department of culture and heritage care, the solution is controversial, but in this case, public interest predominates in building the elevator.