Praha has obtained a building permit for the renovation of Wenceslas Square

Prague - Prague has received a building permit for the reconstruction of the lower part of Wenceslas Square. Preparatory work will begin next week. This was announced today by the spokesperson of the magistrate, Vít Hofman. The work will be divided into stages, and only parts of the square will be closed at a time. The expected completion date is the end of 2018. The repair has been discussed for several years. Prague has had a project since 2005 from the architectural office Cigler Marani Architects. The modification of the lower part is expected to cost about 150 million crowns, according to previous information.

"This is great news, which means that Wenceslas Square will finally undergo reconstruction. The competition took place 13 years ago, and nothing has basically happened in the following ten years, while it is clear to everyone that this reconstruction is essential," said Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO).

The pedestrian area will be expanded, and only vehicles with permission will be allowed to enter. The space for cars will be narrowed, but access to buildings will be maintained. There will be additional drinking fountains, as well as a base for placing the Christmas tree. All greenery will be irrigated using an automatic system.

In addition to the capital, the city-owned Prague Water Management Company will also work on the square to repair the sewer, and Prague Energy will begin the reconstruction of the cabling and its protectors.

Wenceslas Square is 682 meters long and approximately 60 meters wide. It was originally named Horse Market and was established by a decree from Charles IV. In the 19th century, it was first renamed St. Wenceslas Square and later to Wenceslas.