Staněk proposes to declare Bertramka a national cultural monument

Prague - In the first half of this year, the Ministry of Culture will propose to the government to declare Prague's Bertramka as a national cultural monument (NCM). The classical villa from the 18th century associated with the stay of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart belongs to the Mozart community, but it has been closed for two years. The change in monument status is intended to help revive and enhance its appeal. The ministry plans to propose the highest possible level of monument protection outside of its legislative plans and aims to expedite any declaration. Minister of Culture Antonín Staněk (ČSSD) told ČTK and Czech Television today.

At Bertramka, he met with the leadership of the Mozart community and Prague 5; they had previously been participants in legal disputes that ended in 2009. "We tried to bury the hatchet on both sides of the proceedings, and I think we succeeded," he stated. Bertramka opened to the public in 2010 under the management of the Mozart community, but has been closed since 2016 for renovations. Last autumn, the outdoor staircase was being repaired. However, even today, the facade is peeling again. "Even though it was a company specialized in historical buildings," complained the community's chairman, Tomislav Volek, today.

The chilly building does have installed exhibitions, but it also contains equipment left by a tenant who unsuccessfully operated a restaurant there and made some inappropriate construction changes, according to the community. The Mozart community complains about low visitor numbers and little interest from tourists.

Staněk stated today that after he took office, Prague 5 urged him to expedite the request to declare Bertramka as an NCM, which was submitted in early 2017. The villa has been recognized as a cultural monument for decades. "I wanted to see the property because there are some opinions that, in terms of historical appearance, Bertramka no longer looks as it might have when Mozart was there," Staněk said. The farm has undergone several renovations. "Nonetheless, the foundation of the idea for the declaration as an NCM is Mozart's legacy, the fact that he was actually here. It is a place with a genius loci," the minister believes.

"At today's meeting, we agreed on the need to create a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, the Prague 5 municipality, and the Mozart community. We are ready to assist the Mozart community in restoring this unique monument and spreading the legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart," said Prague 5 councilor Lukáš Herold to ČTK.

If the monument receives the highest possible status of state protection, its owner will qualify for more support from public sources, but the state can also exert more pressure on the owner to take proper care of the monument. In the case of inadequate care, it can also impose a higher fine. Prague had previously considered that one of its established institutions could take care of Bertramka.

According to Staněk, declaring it an NCM has the advantage "in case of any problems." The status of national cultural monument allows for the state's pre-emption right. "I think this is very important from this perspective," he said.

The condition of the building, according to him, is not promising and needs funds as soon as possible to prevent further damage. According to Staněk, the Mozart community has only requested a grant from the Ministry of Culture once in the past, but the application was returned due to formal deficiencies. "We offered the community assistance; they can also seek support from the municipality or the city hall," he recalled.

The government announces the NCM at the proposal of the Ministry of Culture. Usually, a bundle of about twenty monuments is declared. This year, the government plans to do it at the end of the year, but according to Staněk, Bertramka will come to the government meeting by mid-year. The entire estate, including the garden and outbuildings, is expected to be declared an NCM, near which homeless people currently have established shelters. Staněk mentioned that if the condition of Bertramka improved, the National Museum could lend some artifacts associated with Mozart or the former owners of the villa, the Dušková couple, thereby increasing its appeal.