Svah pod Letnou could be transformed into an exhibition hall

Prague - The slope beneath the former Stalin monument in Prague could be transformed into an exhibition hall dedicated to Czech history. This is proposed by the authors of a project called the National Chronicle at Letná, who also plan for the permanent placement of Mucha's Slav Epic there. In an interview with ČTK, one of the project's authors, Nikolaj V. Palatajkov, stated this. However, both Prague 1 and Prague 7 are skeptical about the project. Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) previously mentioned the possibility of building a gallery in Letná.

According to the architectural design, the slope beneath the metronome would be transformed into a giant staircase, with underground spaces beneath the former monument serving for exhibitions. "An attractive public space with cultural, educational, and pedagogical functions of national significance would be created," the authors describe. "It is undignified that the significant axis of Parizska Street leading from the Old Town Square ends in a slope with overgrown greenery. Čechův Bridge is a work that remains unfinished," Palatajkov said.

The internal spaces beneath the metronome are planned to be arranged in a spiral, a timeline that refers to some kind of "national genetic information." The National Chronicle tour would begin at the bottom with the beginning of national history, illustrated by the Slav Epic. As visitors ascend, they would pass through a multimedia and interactive exhibition over time towards the present, exiting at the metronome and a new café.

Prague 7 councilors rejected the intention in June as oversized. They also disagree with the placement in the Letná slope; the project would supposedly disrupt the green edge of the Vltava riverbank and burden the waterfront with excessive traffic. Additionally, construction is hindered by a building moratorium and is not in accordance with the current zoning plan, as stated in the city district's resolution.

The idea of building a multifunctional gallery of modern art was mentioned by the mayor last year, but she did not connect it with the Slav Epic. However, considering that Prague has still not fulfilled Mucha's wish and has not built a dignified exhibition hall for the legendary cycle, the gallery mentioned by the mayor could possibly serve as a place where the epic could be permanently exhibited.