The main part of the renovations of the city museum building in Florence is complete

Prague - The main part of the renovation of the headquarters of the Museum of the Capital City of Prague (MHMP) in Florenc has been completed. The building still awaits the establishment of a café or a lecture hall, and some restoration work still needs to be completed. Museum spokesman Vojta Novotný stated this in response to a query from ČTK. The building has been closed since June 2020 for complete renovation, and its reopening is planned for the beginning of next year. So far, about 282 million crowns have been invested. MHMP is a contribution organization of Prague, and its collection fund is dedicated to the history of Prague.

"The main part of the reconstruction is already finished, and minor adjustments are still ongoing. At the same time, we are intensively working on the design of a new audiovisual exhibition that will focus on Langweil's model of Prague," Novotný stated. This year, the last phase of the building's reconstruction will take place, during which a café and a lecture hall will be created, and the final restoration interventions will be completed, he added.

Before the renovations, the building was in poor condition. All internal spaces and technical and safety equipment, which were on the verge of their lifespan, had to be restored. The work included the addition of an elevator, making the museum accessible to visitors with disabilities. Before the museum's closure, there was only a platform for wheelchair users, which did not allow access to higher floors. Visitors will also find renovated and modernized ticket offices, cloakrooms, a museum shop, and restrooms.

Although MHMP will reopen at the beginning of next year, people will be able to visit it earlier. "We are aware that the building has been closed for a long time, so we plan to open it exceptionally for this year's Prague Museum Night, when visitors will be able to admire the internally reconstructed spaces and see the building empty without exhibitions and furniture, which is quite unique," Novotný stated. After that, the museum will close again and will be ceremonially opened at the beginning of 2025.

The main building was constructed between 1896 and 1898 according to the design of architect Antonín Balšánek. It was solemnly opened to the public along with the exhibitions in September 1900. The building is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.