Staroměstské náměstí in Prague is awaiting a number of changes

Will Petr Parléř see another realization?

Prague - The Marian Column is set to return to Prague's Old Town Square this year. Today's Lidové noviny (LN) cites Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda (ODS) on this matter. The return still needs to be approved by the councilors. According to the newspaper, the years-long reconstruction of the column is nearly complete. Two years later, the Krocín Fountain from the late 16th century is reportedly set to return to the square as well.
     The Marian Column was torn down by a crowd in 1918 after the fall of the Habsburg monarchy, as people considered it a symbol of the Austrian and Catholic dominance in the Czech lands following the Battle of White Mountain. The Baroque statue group crafted by Jan Jiří Bendel, erected in 1650, was meant to commemorate the salvation of Prague from the Swedes in 1648.
     Discussion about the return of the column to the square, which would still be near the Hus monument, has been ongoing for several years. "We plan to place the column this year. We estimate the costs to be one to two million crowns," Mayor Svoboda told LN.
     Lidové noviny also writes about other possible changes to the appearance of Old Town Square. An archaeological survey set to begin next year and last at least two years is expected to serve as a springboard for these developments. According to the mayor, the area beneath the burned and subsequently demolished wing of the Old Town Hall, where there is now a small park, will be examined. "We are preliminarily estimating costs to be four million crowns," Svoboda added. The first visualization that Prague has had drawn up so far is said to envision the completion of the Town Hall in its original Gothic style according to the design of Petr Parléř.
     Prague has reportedly also reached out to dozens of architects, urban planners, and other experts with an extensive survey on how they envision the future of the square.