The clock tower structure has been restored at the Industrial Palace in Prague

Prague - Today, workers returned the repaired 26-ton heavy structure of the clock tower to the roof of the central part of the Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds in Prague's Bubeneč. They will weld it to the building and then begin to return decorative elements, including the clock. Some work will be completed by the end of this year, with the remainder finished next year. This was stated by Prague councilor Adam Zábranský (Pirates) and David Čech, the project manager from Metrostav DIZ, which leads the consortium of companies repairing the palace. Costs are likely to exceed three billion crowns. Part of the palace was destroyed by fire on October 16, 2008. The renovation began in February 2022 and was originally supposed to end in 2025; however, complications in the repairs will extend the timeline to 2026.

"The tower has been completely renovated, its damaged legs have been replaced and reconstructed. It has been exposed to weather conditions for a long time. There was a huge degree of corrosion on both its legs and viewing platform, which is why it was decided that these parts would be replicated," said Čech.

The repair of the tower took about two and a half years. First, workers removed all elements. The structure was cleaned by sandblasting, reinforced, repaired, and finally repainted. The original structure was riveted, while the newly manufactured parts are only bolted on. Part of the new sheet metal roofing has been produced, and the remaining parts have been restored. New clock dials have been created according to historical templates.

After the workers attach the structure to the remaining steel part, stained glass windows, profiled sheet metal roofing, and dials will be added to the tower. The builders will return the clock mechanism, wooden floors, and a replica of the St. Wenceslas crown will be placed at the top of the tower. Experts are currently finishing the gilding on it.

During the completion and renovation of the palace, workers are completing the structures of the burned wing connecting to the original central part. "Next, we will finish the last truss of the steel structure and complete the roof, so by the end of the year, we should have the roof finished. We are working a lot in the basement, where the engine room installations are taking place, and we will also install the exterior windows by the end of the year," said Čech.

In the central hall, experts have returned part of the painted boards, a third of the stained glass windows, sheet metal roofing elements have been placed under the roof, or a number of stucco elements on the façade have been restored. Restaurateurs are currently also finishing a replica of the coat of arms with the Czech national symbol, which will return to the palace facade. "During the winter, the painting will be done, and in the spring, we will install it," said Čech.

The renovation was originally supposed to end next year. "After uncovering the foundations, floors, and ceilings of the right wing, it became clear that the actual technical condition requires more extensive repairs than could have been anticipated before the project commenced. A realistic completion date is June 2026," said Zábranský. The costs are gradually being recalculated by the city and the contractor; according to the councilor, it is likely they will exceed three billion crowns.

The palace was built for the Jubilee Land Exhibition in 1891 according to the design of architect Bedřich Munzberger. From the beginning, it served for exhibitions and other cultural events, although it was originally intended to be a temporary building. From 1952 to 1954, the communist government decided on a change of function, transforming the main hall of the palace into a social and dance hall. Its name was also changed to the Congress Palace, which was part of the then Julia Fučík Park of Culture and Relaxation.