Praha 1 is revising the project for the reconstruction of Judith's Tower

Prague - The Prague 1 city hall is revising the study for the reconstruction of the historic Judith Tower near Charles Bridge. It is still unclear when the project will be completed. Veronika Blažková, spokesperson for Prague 1, reported this to ČTK. The Ministry of Culture's heritage inspection returned the repair plan in February for revision, arguing that the city hall preservationists did not adequately address the objections raised by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) regarding the proposed repairs.

Judith Tower, or the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, is the shorter of the two towers that form the gateway from Charles Bridge to the Lesser Town. The structure was part of the Judith Bridge, which stood where today's Charles Bridge is located, and was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century.

"The study is indeed being revised on our end, and the individual steps of the repairs are being specified. It is not finished yet. Judith Tower needs repair; everyone agrees on that, so now it is just a matter of the extent of the repairs," stated Blažková. She added that the office does not want to speculate on when the modifications will be completed.

According to Prague 1, the monument is in a state of emergency and requires a general overhaul. The reconstruction project of the city district has been criticized by the Club for Old Prague, which has been based in the tower since 1927, and by the NPÚ. Critics argue that the city hall opted for unnecessarily radical interventions in the original structures.

The Ministry of Culture sided with the critics and revoked the authorizations of the city hall preservationists, without which the monument cannot be repaired. "In March 2018, the applicant (Prague 1, note from the editor) withdrew their application, and subsequently, the heritage care department issued a resolution to halt the proceedings, stating that the study for the restoration of the tower would be completed and individual steps specified," stated city hall spokesperson Vít Hofman, adding that the city hall has not yet requested a new opinion from the preservationists.