The former Živnobanka in Prostějov has become a cultural monument

Prostějov - The building of the former Živnobank in Prostějov has been declared a monument. The Art Nouveau structure from the early 20th century has been added to the list by the Ministry of Culture. The building is located in the central Prostějov square, in close proximity to the town hall, and is one of the important landmarks of the urban heritage zone. ČTK was informed about this today by the city's spokesperson, Jana Gáborová.
    Živnobanka submitted a request for a building permit for the construction of a new bank building in Prostějov in 1912. The designer of the multi-storey building was the Prague architect Osvald Polívka, who was then a well-known and experienced architect for financial institutions.
    "Osvald Polívka was characterized by the use of historicizing elements, but he was not unfamiliar with Art Nouveau either. As a designer, he emphasized the overall impression of the building, which is why he used the services of leading artists for the decoration of the building," stated Vlastimil Rudolf from the cultural heritage department of the Prostějov city office.
    The facade of the building facing T. G. Masaryk Square is dominated by an extended central bay window, and above the pronounced cornice, the building is topped with a richly profiled gable adorned with sculptural decorations. The wing on the neighboring Kravařova Street was originally the rear section of an older building that was incorporated into the new construction.
    The bank branch in the building operated until the early 1950s when its offices were converted into apartments. The entire ground floor, both facing Kravařova Street and T. G. Masaryk Square, still serves commercial purposes today. The former Živnobanka building now belongs to the city, which had it renovated after 2000.