Heritage preservationists submitted a request for the Prague Invalidovna

Prague - The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) has already submitted an official request to the Office for Representation of the State in Property Matters regarding the Prague Invalidovna. The heritage protectors want to open the monument-protected baroque complex to the public and use it as the institute's headquarters. This was announced today by NPÚ spokeswoman Jana Tichá. The institute also presented a proposal for the use of the building to the Ministry of Culture today, and the groundwork for negotiations with the Ministry of Finance, which will decide on the funding for the reconstruction of the complex, is prepared.

No private investor expressed interest in purchasing the baroque complex in a recent tender. The property was sold for at least 637.7 million crowns. Even before the planned auction, the NPÚ announced that it was ready to take over the property to ensure that the Invalidovna remains in state hands. The Office for Representation of the State in Property Matters had then stated that it would await the official request from the heritage protectors, after which nothing would prevent the transfer of the building to the NPÚ.

The Heritage Institute has also submitted a proposal for the use of the Invalidovna to the Ministry of Culture. According to the NPÚ spokeswoman, the building will be opened to the public as part of cultural or educational events. Additionally, the institute expects to move part of its headquarters to the complex. "The NPÚ is also discussing possible use with the Prague Philharmonic Choir, and the Ministry of Agriculture's department is also being considered," Tichá added.

According to Vlastislav Ouroda, Deputy Minister of Culture for the Management of the Cultural Heritage Section, the NPÚ's proposal has been responsibly prepared, utilizing archival documents and materials from previous attempts to use the Invalidovna. "We see this as a rescue of a very valuable significant monument. The economic and operational dimensions for our contributory organizations are also crucial," he told ČTK. "It is very important for us that the public has access to the building, that it is not a closed complex, but an organic part of the city," he added.

According to Ouroda, groundwork for negotiations with the Ministries of Culture and Finance is now prepared. Some experts indicated that the reconstruction of the Invalidovna could cost up to 2.5 billion crowns in the case of a general renovation.

The Invalidovna previously belonged to the army, and it housed archives, but after being damaged by floods and the relocation of the archives, the army deemed the property unnecessary. The complex is a cultural monument and is on the list of properties that the state would like to declare as a national cultural monument.