Prague 1 offers a plot of land for the Slav Epic near Štefánik Bridge

Prague - Prague 1 offers a plot of land with a park for the construction of a pavilion for the Slav Epic at the end of Revoluční Street near Štefánik Bridge. Its development is also included in the metropolitan plan. The mayor of Prague 1, Oldřich Lomecký (TOP 09), said this to reporters today. The main city, which owns a series of paintings by Alfons Mucha, was supposed to be the investor. The city hall's statement is being verified by ČTK.

The plot is managed by the municipality. "The park is practically a hostel for the homeless; it also lies in the middle of an intersection," described former mayor and board member of the Czech Chamber of Commerce Filip Dvořák. According to him, the location of the pavilion by the Vltava River would be suitable, as important buildings like ministries or the Rudolfinum stand nearby. "We are counting on the fact that tourists will still go there on foot," he added. Thus, the plan should not bring any additional traffic burden.

Originally, the plot housed the so-called Eliška's Spa building, which was demolished in the 1940s. An international competition for the construction of a hotel was already held in 1965.

The municipality also wants to calm Revoluční Street, at the end of which the plot is located. However, the main city would also need to invest in these adjustments; according to Lomecký, they would cost between 350 and 400 million crowns. "The study was created in 2008, but it was postponed due to the construction of a collector under Dlouhá and Revoluční streets, but Prague halted this last November," he explained. The adjustments to the street should also include new stairs from Štefánik Bridge to the embankment. According to Dvořák, adjustments to other streets, such as Myslíkova, also benefited entrepreneurs, as more people began to visit them.

At the end of Revoluční Street by the Vltava, the owner plans to build a new building according to the design of architect Eva Jiřičná. However, the plan does not yet have the necessary permits, and according to the mayor, it has not even applied for them yet.

The cycle of canvases of the Slav Epic depicting Slavic mythology is a cultural monument. The work was moved from Moravský Krumlov in 2012. Mucha donated it to Prague on the condition that a separate exhibition hall for the work would be built.

Recently, several proposals have emerged regarding where to place the Slav Epic, which will now travel around Asia for three years. The city is considering using one of its properties or constructing a new one, for instance at Výstaviště. A decision is expected by the end of next year. The canvases are set to return to Prague no later than 2019.