Prague is preparing the reconstruction of the Lapidarium at the Exhibition Grounds

Prague - Prague will reconstruct the Lapidarium building on the Exhibition Grounds in Prague 7. Prague councilors today approved the selection of the contractor for the project documentation. The winner is the company VPÚ Deco Praha, which will prepare the documentation for 23.6 million crowns. This is stated in the material approved by the Prague councilors today. Once Prague has the documents, it will announce a competition for the construction contractor based on them.

The Lapidarium building is in a deplorable state, especially the facade and the tower. The tender process for the documentation contractor was initiated back in March 2012, but it was delayed due to the preparation of the development concept for the Exhibition Grounds. The contractor is expected to provide the necessary documentation, which should take a maximum of six months from the signing of the contract.

The Lapidarium is located to the right of the main entrance to the Exhibition Grounds in one of the original pavilions from the jubilee exhibition of 1891. The first exhibits were installed there just seven years later, and the collection was first presented to the public in 1905. Due to its deteriorating condition, the building was closed between 1967 and 1993.

The collection of the National Museum, which manages the Lapidarium, consists of 2000 items, of which 400 are on display. Visitors will find, for example, groups of engraved Gothic tombstones, a pillar with Brunclík from Charles Bridge, the remains of Krocín's fountain, which stood in Old Town Square in Prague until 1862, and the torso of the oldest Czech Marian column from 1650, which was torn down in Old Town Square in 1918. The Lapidarium is open from May to the end of November.

The most common reason for the creation of lapidaria was the reconstruction of Gothic cathedrals, which took place in many cases from the 19th century onward. Damaged original architectural pieces and sculptures, which were replaced during these repairs, were often stored in interiors to protect them from further destruction, despite their historical and aesthetic value.

In the coming years, the capital city plans to invest 48 million crowns in three projects at the Exhibition Grounds. The grilling area and bike park are expected to be completed by July 2019, and the natural swimming pool in October of the same year. All three projects will be located in the fourth zone, which is primarily designated for recreation and complements Stromovka in character. In the future, an alternative space for landscape art, additional attractions, and sports zones could be created here. There are plans for the construction of a replica of the burned wing of the historic Industrial Palace.