Art historians write to representatives, urging them not to demolish the Libeň Bridge

Prague - Art historians are urging Prague officials to vote against the demolition of the Libeň Bridge. The fate of the bridge will be decided on Thursday. The council had it on the agenda in April, but the program of the meeting was not approved due to the item about the bridge's demolition, threatening the coalition's stability. The dispute over the reconstruction or demolition of the bridge has been ongoing for years. The management of the Institute of Art History of the Academy of Sciences has now written an open letter to the officials to position themselves against the demolition, Barbara Gajewská from the institute informed ČTK today.

The Libeň Bridge, which was opened to mark the tenth anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia, is at risk of disappearing during the celebrations of its hundredth anniversary, the historians note in the letter. According to them, the Libeň Bridge is a unique testament to Czech modern architecture from the first half of the 20th century.

The institute points out alleged long-term neglect of maintenance and the necessity for a comprehensive repair. It appeals to the officials not to consider only the economic aspects related to the bridge's repair, but especially the immeasurable cultural value, "which far surpasses these aspects."

The Libeň Bridge, built in 1928, is in poor condition. The city leadership justified the proposal for the bridge's demolition by stating that constructing a new one would be cheaper and faster than repairing it. Some politicians and residents advocate for its repair, considering the bridge designed by Pavel Janák and František Mencl architecturally and historically valuable. The fate of the bridge was also addressed in the past by the Ministry of Culture, but it did not declare it a protected monument.

Opposition to the demolition today comes from the Trojkoalice, Prague 7, and civic associations, as well as some experts. The bridge, with its cubist elements, is deemed by critics to have historical value, and according to the mayor of Prague 7, Jan Čižinský, it is also not part of the new bridge project for alternative transportation. The advisory council of the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) similarly does not recommend the demolition of the Libeň Bridge. On the contrary, according to the council, the city should urgently prepare the construction of a new bridge between Holešovice and Karlín.