The Olomouc City Hall has prepared a study for the renovation of Palach Square

Olomouc - The Olomouc City Hall is planning future repairs to Palach Square, on the edge of which stands the Baroque Terezská Gate. The city council has already approved an architectural study that addresses the future shape of the square, said the mayor's deputy Aleš Jakubec (TOP 09) to ČTK.

According to Jakubec, Palach Square, where a Jewish synagogue once stood and later monuments to Lenin and Stalin, is in a neglected state. A significant portion of the square is occupied by a long-standing parking lot. "The prompt for why we began to develop a study addressing Palach Square is the planned reconstruction of the parking lot owned by the Jewish community," he stated.

Thanks to the study, the councilors gained an idea of how the square could look in the future, which should also be taken into account in the upcoming reconstruction of the parking lot, set to begin in November. When the proposed modifications to the square will be implemented is still not estimable, according to Jakubec.

The proposed modifications are intended to improve the use of Palach Square and to remind of the history of the Olomouc bastion fortress. The study includes the construction of a water feature meant to resemble a moat, as well as a wooden jetty representing a drawbridge.

"The study emphasizes the functionality of the space, which should serve as a place for relaxation, a pleasant area for sitting in restaurant terraces, but also a venue for cultural events," added Jakubec. There are also plans for the restoration of greenery and new lighting.

The dominant feature of Palach Square was the synagogue from 1897 to 1939, which was set on fire by local fascists after the occupation of Czechoslovakia. In 1955, a monument to Lenin and Stalin was installed on its site, which was removed in January 1990.