The roof of the Vyšehrad station was intentionally damaged by someone, according to the owner

Prague - The roof of the Vyšehrad railway station in Prague did not collapse due to insufficient maintenance, but was intentionally damaged by someone. This was stated in a statement by RailCity Vyšehrad, which owns the unused monument. The police did not confirm this to ČTK. Representatives from Prague 2 and the city council expressed that the possibility of expropriating the protected monument is according to the company "balancing on the edge of the law". The company stated that it will repair the roof at its own expense.

On October 14, representatives from Prague 2 and the city council stated that the roof of the building started to collapse and that considering the owner’s access, the city district plans to repair it with the city's contribution. Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09) then said that the city is also considering expropriating the building, which is possible under the heritage protection law if the owner allows the monument to deteriorate. The city also negotiated with the company about a possible purchase or exchange of the former station, but without success. Prague 2 filed a criminal complaint against the company regarding the state of the building.

The company today objected to the statements made by Prague politicians. According to it, the roof collapse was not a result of neglected maintenance, but unauthorized entry into the building. "The facts are that the roof and facade of the building were intentionally damaged, additionally, someone unlawfully entered the secured building. The entire case is being investigated by the police and reportedly specific perpetrators have been apprehended who intentionally damaged the roof and facade," stated the company. It reportedly filed a criminal complaint against the perpetrators.

Spokesman for Prague police Jan Rybanský did not confirm this information to ČTK. "I was unable to find in our records that the Prague police are currently conducting any criminal proceedings related to the intentional damage of the roof or facade of the mentioned building," he stated. In response, the company stated that its employees were witnesses to the incident when the police directly on the spot detained a man with climbing equipment who unlawfully entered the building. "RailCity Vyšehrad has not yet been informed by the police about further proceedings; however, we do not consider it appropriate to comment on the whole matter during the investigation," the company further stated.

The company further stated that it is investing significant financial resources into maintenance so that the condition of the building does not deteriorate further. "RailCity Vyšehrad is doing everything possible to save this heritage building and is intensively looking for an investor for the prepared project," reads the statement. The owner plans to renovate the building and add two more buildings to it.

The company added that it does not oppose selling the building to the city council, but not at a price based on the estimate commissioned by the city. "Our company works with entirely different appraisals and it is clear that a compromise must be sought. In any case, initial negotiations have taken place and now we are waiting for the city council's position," it stated.

The building was constructed between 1904 and 1905, and the operation of the station was halted around 1960. The object, which was declared a cultural monument in 2000, has been in private hands since 2007. The restoration of the original function is not possible because modern standards do not permit placing a station in a curve. Instead, the city plans a train stop at Výtoň.