National cultural monuments could include another 18 buildings

Prague - Eighteen properties from various periods have a chance to become new national cultural monuments. Among them are the famous Prague palace Lucerna, the recently unsuccessfully sold baroque Invalidovna, and the Ďáblice cemetery, where political prisoners are buried. The buildings that would enjoy the highest state heritage protection could also include the hydropower plant in Poděbrady, the remains of the Romanesque castle in Cheb, or the monastery in Louka near Znojmo.

The proposal for the declaration of the buildings was sent by the Ministry of Culture today for a consultation process. National cultural monuments are declared by the government.

1) Secondary School of Mechanical Engineering in Mladá Boleslav - the school building constructed between 1922-1926 according to the project of architect Jiří Kroha is an example of constructivism, expressionism, and art deco.

2) Town Museum (Wenke Department Store) in Jaroměř - designed by architect Josef Gočár in 1910-1911. It represents an example of early modernism and proto-functionalism with classicizing tendencies.

3) Hydropower Plant in Poděbrady - hydroelectric power plant built between 1913-1923 according to the design of architect Antonín Engel and Ing. Eduard Schwarz is an example of modern neoclassicism.

4) City Theater in Ústí nad Orlicí - the work of architect Kamil Roškot built in 1935-1936 represents an example of organic functionalism.

5) Crematorium in Nymburk - from 1924 according to the design of architect Bedřich Feuerstein is classified as an example of purism.

6) Town Hall (Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs) in Pardubice - constructed between 1923-1925 according to the project of architect Ladislav Machoň is a work of modern neoclassicism and art deco.

7) Sokolovna in Rakovník - the work of architect Otakar Novotný from 1912-1914 represents classicizing early modernism.

8) Crematorium and Columbarium in the Central Cemetery in Brno - constructed between 1926-1930, a key work of Brno architect Ernst Wiesner is an example of expressive rendering of stark rational architecture.

9) Community House (Chamber of Commerce and Trade) in Opava - built between 1908-1910 according to the design of Leopold Bauer represents the trend from secession and modernism to modern pre-war and interwar neoclassicism and historicism.

10) A collection of small buildings contributing to the character of the landscape - a collection of chapels, wayside shrines, peace crosses, etc., selected in the South Bohemian Region, South Moravian Region, and Highlands Region to include examples of the diversity of types of these monuments while also being a representative example of this creation from the medieval period until the end of the 19th century.

11) Cheb Falc - the only Romanesque falc on our territory built for Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1180. The so-called Black Tower, the two-story chapel, and the remains of the palace have been preserved to this day. It is one of the best-preserved falces in its original medieval form.

12) Blatenský Water Canal - built between 1540-44, it brought water to the treatment and smelting operations for processing tin ore in the Blatenský and Božídarský tin mining area. The main builder of the canal was Stephan Lenk. It is the largest and best-preserved waterwork associated with mining activities and ore processing in the Czech part of the Ore Mountains.

13) Ďáblice Cemetery in Prague with the Honorary Burial Ground for executed and tortured political prisoners and members of the second and third resistance movements - one of the most significant Prague cemeteries, in its northern part is the burial ground for executed and tortured political prisoners from the 1950s. Fallen participants of the anti-Nazi resistance, such as Jan Kubiš, Josef Gabčík, and Capt. Václav Morávek, were also buried in the same place.

14) Invalidovna in Prague - a generously and monumentally designed facility intended for the care of war invalids was built according to the plans of the prominent baroque architect Kilián Ignác Dietzenhofer. The construction began in 1731. Despite partial construction modifications in the early 20th century, it is remarkably preserved in its authenticity.

15) Castle with Park in Brandýs nad Labem - originally a late Gothic castle, reconstructed in the Renaissance style. At its peak, it served as a temporary residence for the Habsburgs. In 1563, a garden was established near the castle, which was improved after 1576, maintaining its original spatial organization to this day despite later modifications. The castle garden is one of the most significant Rudolfine gardens.

16) Palace Lucerna in Prague - built between 1907-1921 as one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Prague. The building bears distinct features of the waning secession and the emerging modernism. From the very beginning, the palace became a significant cultural and social center, where many of our local and foreign artists alternated. This role has been performed unabated to this day.

17) Pilgrimage Church with Passion Route in Římov - an extensive Jesuit building complex from the second half of the 17th century supplemented by the Passion route, consisting of 25 chapels located in the surrounding landscape. These chapels were gradually created from the mid-17th century to the first quarter of the 18th century. The entire area is an exceptional example of baroque architecture associated with pilgrimage tradition while also co-creating the image of the South Bohemian baroque landscape.

18) Monastery in Louka near Znojmo - founded in 1190 by the Znojmo Prince Konrád Otto, soon became one of the most important centers of spiritual and economic life in southwestern Moravia. Around the middle of the 18th century, it underwent extensive baroque reconstruction, which involved many outstanding artists of the time. The monastery was abolished during the Josephine reforms in 1784, and the buildings were used for completely different purposes. Despite the fact that the construction of the baroque monastery was never completed, it remains one of the most valuable documents of late baroque art in Moravia.