In Průhonice Park, extensive renovation has begun for 205 million CZK, which will last for two years

Průhonice – A large-scale restoration began this week in Průhonice Park, which will last for two years. The goal is to care for and secure the trees, repair paths and small historical buildings, and thus restore the unique landscape composition. The project will cost 205 million crowns, most of which is covered by an EU grant and the state budget, said Mirka Dvořáková from the Botanical Institute of the Academy of Sciences to ČTK today. According to her, the institute contributes over ten million crowns to the project.

The trees represent the dominant element of the spatial structure of the park. Their total area covers nearly 100 hectares, with approximately 12,000 individual trees recorded. However, due to the age of the park, some are reaching the end of their lifespan; more than 17 percent of the stands are in poor condition, and 70 percent of them require horticultural intervention.

"If we did not address the situation, over time, the original landscape composition would collapse. We are glad that thanks to this project, we have obtained funds for revitalizing the stands, maintaining the composition, and ensuring operational safety," stated Jiří Šmída, head of the Průhonice Park Administration.

Restoration of the original landscape composition and ensuring safety for aged or compromised trees and stands is not the only goal of the project. The restoration of gravel paths, boundary walls, and small historical buildings is also planned. Visitors can also look forward to new exhibitions in the reconstructed establishments of the Czech Cottage, Fishing Lodge, and Wachhaus, as well as a new information system.

During the winter, primarily pruning and felling of aged and sick trees is planned. In spring, gardening work will be added, such as adjustments to views, sowing new lawns, planting new trees, and thousands of bulbs. There are also plans for the renovation of small buildings in the park next year, which will host new exhibitions. Finally, the reconstruction of paths, not only the main visitor routes, will come into play.

Průhonice Park was founded by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca in 1885. He developed it practically until his death in 1936, although he sold the entire Průhonice estate to the Czechoslovak state in 1927. The park features a significant collection of plants and has high scientific value in addition to its aesthetic value. It is one of the largest natural landscape parks in Europe and has been part of a UNESCO-protected monument reserve since 2010.