The center of Brno could be beautified by an equestrian statue

Brno - Brno could have its first equestrian statue on Rašínova Street in the historic center of the city, which is awaiting extensive reconstruction. Richard Svoboda (ODS), the former mayor of the city and senator, told ČTK today, adding that he wants to contribute to the discussion about the future appearance of the city center. Some experts do not consider the idea bad.
    Rašínova Street connects the central Freedom Square, which has been reconstructed in recent months, with Moravian Square. The street will receive new paving in the future, and a row of linden trees will be planted. The entire area is to be adjusted to sensitively connect with the pedestrian zone. An equestrian statue could aesthetically beautify the space, among other things.
    The equestrian statue could depict the Roman king and Margrave of Moravia John of Luxembourg (1351-1411), who is buried in the nearby Church of St. Thomas, Svoboda mentioned.
    He reminded that the city has a project called Sculptures for Brno, under which it is to beautify public spaces with ten sculptures in the next decade. Svoboda's successor in the mayor’s chair, Roman Onderka (ČSSD), does not reject the proposal. However, he would leave the discussion to the experts.
    Art historian Jiří Kroupa does not consider the idea bad. Already in the late 18th century, he says, there was consideration that an equestrian statue of the Marcomannic leader Marobodu would first be erected in that space, followed by Marshal Franz Moritz Count von Lacy later on.
    "Between the squares once stood the German House, which was demolished after World War II. Now it would really be necessary to redesign the space somehow," Kroupa, who teaches at Masaryk University, stated.
    Karel Havliš, head of the urbanism studio at the Faculty of Architecture of the Brno University of Technology, told ČTK that there is little art in the city's streets compared to the large amount of advertising. According to him, the historic center is the most suitable place for the installation of an equestrian statue. The proposal is definitely a good topic for discussion, he noted.
    Equestrian statues are usually decorations of the centers of large European cities. According to available historical sources, there has never been an equestrian statue in Brno in the past.