In Prague, dozens of buildings are deteriorating, and the city hall cannot do anything about it

Prague - There are still a number of neglected buildings in Prague that have become targets for squatters. The public and heritage conservationists have long pointed out the dilapidated Milada villa in Holešovice, which was cleared by the police over the weekend. The problem includes dozens of other buildings, such as the house at the corner of Kaprova and Křižovnická streets, the former steam baths Na Slupi, or the abandoned Cibulka farmhouse. Most of the buildings are privately owned. Therefore, the city hall cannot do anything about them.
     The problem with abandoned houses primarily lies in unresolved ownership relations, missing building permits, or a lack of funds for repairs. Prague 2 has once again contacted the owners of the houses in connection with the weekend events surrounding the Milada villa. "However, there are not many options to compel the owners to do something with the properties," admits the deputy mayor of Prague 2, Jan Vaněk. Even the law is not very accommodating to the city halls, as some say it primarily protects the owners.
     Prague 1 has about three dozen problematic buildings on its territory, which their owners neglect. "The city hall tries to encourage owners to carry out repairs, but it lacks sufficient legal authority to do so," said the spokesperson for the municipal district, Veronika Blažková. "Last year, we managed to order basic security work at Křižovnická 14, but the owner must want the overall reconstruction themselves, which they are not inclined to do," she added.
Among the dilapidated buildings is also the shell of the printing house on Opletalova Street, where regular geodetic measurements are conducted. "A few weeks ago, movement towards the courtyard was detected here, and therefore, further measurements are scheduled in three months," said the spokesperson.
     Besides the Milada villa, the media has recently mentioned the Cibulka estate in connection with squatters. In May, the police removed several people from the long-neglected farmhouse, which has a history dating back to the 14th century. The squatters had previously pointed out the dire state of the Kajetánka estate in Břevnov, the Turbovka farmhouse in Košíře, and the expansive house on Květnové náměstí in Chodov.