At Prague Castle, the repair of the Supreme Burgrave's Office will begin this year

photo: www.kultura.cz

Prague - The reconstruction of the Highest Burgrave's Office and the adjacent buildings will begin in the spring at Prague Castle. The first phase of the repairs will cost 59 million crowns. The Administration of Prague Castle (SPH) is also planning the reconstruction of the residence in the Royal Garden this year, as well as multi-million maintenance of the cathedral. This was announced by SPH spokesman David Šebek in response to a query from ČTK.

The reconstruction of the Highest Burgrave's Office was originally planned for this year. According to earlier media reports, the work is expected to last two years. The first phase involves the repair of three buildings that are part of the burgrave's office, and the Black Tower, the house next to it, the courtyard, and the enclosing walls will also be reconstructed. The façades, roofs, and interiors will be restored.

The second financially demanding repair will be the first phase of the reconstruction of the residence in the Royal Garden for 25 million crowns. "This is a comprehensive reconstruction of the building, which is in poor technical condition corresponding to more than fifty years of operation," noted Šebek. According to SPH, the kitchen equipment and ceiling heating, for example, are in poor condition.

Work will also be carried out on the operational building in the Royal Garden. "This involves a complete repair of the aging internal and external spaces of the operational building. The repair includes the replacement of engineering networks that were in a state of emergency," stated Šebek. The reconstruction is expected to cost 19 million crowns.

SPH is also planning construction modifications to the restaurant Na Baště. For the replacement of networks, repair of the building's outer shell, including the replacement of the roof covering, they will pay nine million crowns. The rehabilitation of the structure covering the archaeological excavations in the area beneath the northern palace courtyard of the Old Royal Palace and related work will cost the castle administration six million crowns, and the paving of the Foundry Courtyard, repair of the wall façade and one of the houses 4.6 million excluding VAT.

Approximately 7.5 million crowns will also be spent on the maintenance of St. Vitus Cathedral. The vaults of the side aisles, stained glass windows in the chapels, and the painting will be repaired. "The work will also include the installation of special ventilation chimneys that improve the indoor climate, especially during seasonal transitions," noted Šebek.

At the castle in Lány, according to Šebek, the adjustment of the pond Na Ohradech will be completed this year, with planned costs of 4.1 million crowns. In the castle itself, the internal engineering networks will also be replaced for seven million crowns.

Accessibility improvements will be made for wheelchair users at the entrance to the Old Royal Palace. "The existing platform was installed in 1996 and is technically and morally outdated," noted Šebek. It will be replaced by a new platform "that meets the most modern standards," he stated.