The Prague City Hall will start the reconstruction of the Strašnice crematorium this year

Prague – This year, Prague will begin the reconstruction of the Strašnice crematorium. The building will be insulated against moisture, a retention tank for capturing rainwater will be added to the facility, and the ceremonial hall will receive new technology. This was communicated to ČTK by councilor Milena Johnová (Prague Sobě) and the director of the Prague Cemetery Administration (SPH), Martin Červený. SPH, established by the Prague City Council, manages, among other things, the operation and management of the Strašnice crematorium and the second crematorium in Motol.

"The necessity of the reconstruction (of the Strašnice Crematorium) gives us an opportunity to modernize the building and, thanks to that, its operation while considering environmental protection requirements," stated Johnová.

The building, constructed in a constructivist style based on the design of architect Alois Mezera, will be repaired in phases according to city representatives. A tender for approximately five million crowns for the first part of the reconstruction, which includes solutions for rainwater and waterproofing of the building, is expected to be announced in the summer, according to Červený. The work could be completed by the end of the year. For 2023, the repair of one of the two cremation furnaces is planned. The furnace will receive a new recuperative heat exchanger to utilize heat from the cremation furnace for heating the ceremonial hall.

The construction of the Strašnice crematorium, which is the largest in Europe by area, began in 1929 on a plot adjacent to the Vinohradský cemetery. The crematorium was opened on January 23, 1932, by then-mayor Karel Bax. Cremation commenced on April 4, 1932. Since 1958, the building has been listed as a cultural monument. Currently, according to representatives of the Prague City Council, between 4,500 and 5,000 cremations and 2,300 funeral ceremonies are held annually at the Strašnice crematorium.

The Prague Cemetery Administration, a contributory organization of Prague, takes care of some cemeteries in the metropolis, provides funeral services, and operates and manages the crematoria in Motol and Strašnice. According to information on its website, it manages 32 out of 70 cemeteries in Prague. Other cemeteries are entrusted to city districts or managed by churches. In January 2020, SPH merged with the Prague contributory organization of the Funeral Institute of the capital city and took over its activities, employees, and assets.