The Museum of Prague is preparing the renovation of the Desfours Palace for 751.3 million CZK

Prague – Prague plans to renovate the empty Desfours Palace in Florenc for 751.3 million crowns, which is under the care of the Museum of the Capital City of Prague. The plan was approved by the council on Monday. It is not yet clear when the repairs will begin; according to the mayor's deputy for culture, Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09), it will probably be in the next election period. The palace, which is a protected monument, is located on Na Florenci Street near the main building of the museum, whose founder is the capital city.

For the reconstruction, the museum has commissioned a study from architect Jakub Cígler, according to the approved document. "The palace is currently in a state of emergency, and based on the statement of a professional structural engineer, there is a strict ban on entry. The building is deteriorating, and its reconstruction is an absolute priority for the museum," states the document.

According to Pospíšil, the council's decision on Monday is the first step, but the preparation of the reconstruction will still take some time. "It doesn't have a specific time frame yet; it will probably be in the next election period," he told ČTK. According to him, the study will be completed next year.

After the reconstruction, the administrative part of the museum, which is currently located in a building on Kožná Street, is supposed to move into the corner house. "At the same time, the palace is expected to be an interactive space that will provide programs for various target groups focusing on the history, present, and future of Prague," the document states. There will be a view of Prague from the attic of the palace, a restaurant, and a space for short-term rentals.

The Desfours Palace was built in the late Classicist style between 1845 and 1847. The architect was Josef Kranner, who constructed it for Count Desfours-Walderode. The original interiors, a three-armed suspended marble staircase, mosaic parquet floors, and other valuable items such as chandeliers, stained glass, and tiled stoves have been partially preserved inside.