State institutions could have already taken over Invalidovna, but they did not do so

Prague - The historic building of the Prague Invalidovna, which will be auctioned on Monday, could have been taken over by state institutions and the Ministry of Culture three times already. Radek Ležatka, spokesman for the Office for State Representation in Property Affairs (ÚZSVM), told ČTK today. However, according to him, the institutions did not show interest in the building. Simona Juračková, spokeswoman for the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), told ČTK today that the institute did not receive an offer to take over the Invalidovna as unnecessary state property either this year or last year.

According to Ležatka, the office last offered the Invalidovna to all state institutions, including the Ministry of Culture and NPÚ, in March of this year. None of them, however, expressed interest in the Invalidovna, Ležatka claims. "The National Heritage Institute was not offered the Invalidovna as unnecessary property in 2015 and 2016," the spokeswoman countered based on a review of correspondence and data storage.

In June, the ÚZSVM announced that the long-unused building would be sold at public auction. The minimum price is 637.7 million crowns. It is expected to be the most significant sale of state property in this year. "Only a few days before the auction did we notice signs of interest through the media; no one had previously shown interest in the building three times. The tender can theoretically be canceled even after the auction," said Ležatka.

The Karlin Invalidovna has been in state hands since its founding; it was built between 1731 and 1737 according to the plans of the famous architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. It is one of the significant Baroque buildings, declared a cultural monument, and is currently on the indicative list of objects that the state would like to declare as national cultural monuments. If they hold this status, they enjoy the highest possible heritage protection, and any management of them can only be done under strict supervision of heritage protectors.

There has been a wave of criticism against the auction among parts of the professional public. Academics have even sent a letter to Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (CSSD) asking him to cancel the intention to sell the building. The Government Office is dealing with the initiative. However, Ležatka said that there is currently no reason for the auction not to take place.

Prague Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) also told ČTK today that the auction must take place. However, she regrets that such widespread interest is only appearing now, even though the Invalidovna has been in its current state for quite a long time. "To start demanding the cancellation of the auction just a few days before it takes place seems quite unfortunate to me," said the mayor. She considers it an ideal solution for the Ministry of Culture to take over the building. However, in response to ČTK’s inquiry, the ministry was unable to comment today, citing holiday time. However, the Deputy Mayor Petra Kolínská (SZ/Trojkoalice) also protests against the auction. She requested the director of the ÚZSVM, Kateřina Arajmu, to cancel the auction.

Envelopes with bids must arrive at the Office for State Representation by Monday, August 8, by 08:00. The auction will then only take place if the office receives two or more bids. Two-thirds of the highest bids may proceed to the auction. If the office receives only one bid, the property will go to that bidder, provided all requirements are met.

"This is a historically valuable building, so we would prefer that the academic sector or some public institution was located here," added Prague 8 Councilor Radomír Nepil. According to him, the city hall will appeal to the Ministry of Culture to take the Invalidovna building under its management.