The Pardubice councilors approved the question for the referendum about the Green Gate

Pardubice – The Pardubice council today approved the wording of the question for the city referendum on the future of the heritage-protected Green Gate. People will decide whether to plaster the tower in the city center again after more than 100 years, or to leave the masonry exposed. This was stated by Deputy Mayor Petr Kvaš (ODS) to ČTK.

The councilors already decided at the previous meeting that the plebiscite would take place concurrently with the parliamentary elections in the fall. Its holding was proposed by councilor Jan Hrabal (ANO) and council member Vít Urlych (Coalition for Pardubice). The question that was approved by the councilors today by a narrow majority should read: "Do you agree that external plaster should be restored during the repair of the Green Gate?"

"Six councilors were in favor. The question will still be discussed and approved by the council," said city spokesman Radim Jelínek. The Pardubice council has 11 members.

The last referendum in the regional city took place in 2013, when people had to decide whether they wanted to maintain city districts. However, not enough voters, 35 percent, participated. According to Kvaš and some other politicians, residents should not decide on the method of repairing the monument; it should be decided by councilors based on expert assessments. "I hope that the referendum will not take place, and that we will find a way to return it to the council," Kvaš said.

The city has an expert report suggesting that plaster better protects the masonry. Temperature differences damage it; during summer, the surface of the stone heats up, but inside it is cool, leading to cracks. According to experts, repairing the masonry without using plaster would have to be repeated every few years.

According to historian František Šebek, who spoke at the last council meeting, new plaster will suffer too much from weather conditions, will not last long, and stains will form on it. Medieval plasters were slurry-like, adhered to the stone, and lasted a long time. He himself considers the conservation of the stone masonry to be a more suitable option.

The landmark of Pardubice is 59 meters high and serves as the entrance to the historical core of the city. As one of the significant monuments, it is often depicted on postcards. The structure, consisting of a tower and an outer gate, dates back to 1507. In 1538, it was damaged by fire. After the repair, it is 13 meters taller. Since 1542, it has had its current roof structure. In 1912, the city removed the plaster from the gate in the spirit of historical purism.