People will be able to admire the old model of Prague in digital form

Prague - People will be able to admire Langweil's model of Prague in digital three-dimensional form. They will be able to virtually walk through the corners of the city center as it appeared in the first half of the previous century, including streets from the Jewish quarter that have already disappeared. The digital form of the unique model will also serve conservators, architects, and urban planners, representatives of the Prague City Hall and the city museum told journalists today.
    The digitization of the model, which Antonín Langweil worked on from 1826 until his death in 1837, began at the end of last year. It will be completed in May 2008. Within two years, the results should appear on the city's internet pages, stated councilor Milan Richter (ODS). Virtual walks through old Prague will also be possible at the city museum, and games for children are also being planned.
    Mayor Pavel Bém called Langweil's model of Prague the most curious, attractive, and most visited exhibit in the museum. Langweil captured the detailed appearance of the Old Town, Lesser Town without Petřín, as well as Prague Castle and Hradčany on about 20 square meters. He created the model from cardboard and wooden elements.
    The model features approximately 2000 objects. About half of them no longer exist today.
    The digitization will cost the city almost 12.5 million crowns and is extremely demanding. "It is essentially a science fiction project," said Tomáš Petrů from Visual Connection, the company that won the contract. Experts are currently capturing images of the model with a robot, totaling about half a million photographs. According to Petrů, three top-quality cameras will be destroyed in the process. The obtained data will fill around 3000 DVD discs.
    Langweil's model of Prague has been in the city museum since 1961 and was restored until 1970. For the last eight years, it has been displayed in a special glass case that ensures the best microclimate. "The protection was great, but visitors couldn't see much," noted museum director Zuzana Strnadová. After mid-March, when the photographing of the model is completed, it will be placed in a new display case. It will receive different lighting and there will be a rotating camera that will provide visitors with detailed views into the center of the model.