The passage on the ground floor of Prague's Old Town Hall will be renovated

Prague - The passage on the ground floor of the Prague Old Town Hall is set to be renovated. The city is now announcing a public contract for it. The repairs are expected to be completed by the end of next year, aiming to improve the use of the ground floor and its technical and technological infrastructure. Costs are estimated at nearly 30 million crowns. This follows from a document approved by Prague councilors today. In the past, repairs were carried out on, among other things, the tower with a walkway, the astronomical clock, and the altar in the chapel.

"The reconstruction of the ground floor will concern the Town Hall Passage, which will establish a passage between the Old Town Square and Mikulášská Street," the document states.

All surfaces of the structures will be restored. The repairs will include plaster, stucco, and paintings. "In all areas, lime plaster mixes and lime coatings will be used. In no case will there be any extensive stripping of walls and ceilings," the material states. The floor tiles will be refurbished. The windows and doors on both the south and north sides are not original but period, and therefore will be replaced with new ones.

Technological equipment and installations will also be renovated. The contract also includes the supply of furniture and audiovisual technology.

After the modifications, tourists will be divided into two streams. On the left, they will head to the tourist information center, which will be equipped with digital information panels. In the right section, there will be a hallway through which visitors can access the upper floors, the tower, the historical basement, and the restrooms.

The Old Town Hall was founded in 1338 as the seat of the self-government of the Old Town. It consists of a complex of several buildings. It includes the astronomical clock, which was completely renovated last year.