The museum of the capital city is preparing a study for the repair of the Desfours Palace

Prague – The Museum of the Capital City of Prague (MMP) is preparing an architectural study for the Desfours Palace, which it aims to renovate and create a new exhibition within. When exactly the construction will start and how much it will cost is not yet clear. This was reported to ČTK by the museum's spokesperson, Martina Moravcová. The museum is struggling with a lack of exhibition space. The palace, which is a protected monument, is located on Na Florenci Street, not far from the main museum building. The MMP is operated by the capital city.

"Currently, a new architectural study of the palace is underway, which should be completed at the beginning of 2024. The timeline for the start of the repairs is very difficult to estimate right now, but the project has strong support from the coalition (Together, Pirates, and STAN) at the city hall," stated Moravcová.

The empty palace, which is in poor condition, was taken over by the museum several years ago, as there has been a long-term shortage of exhibition space. "Desfours Palace is one of the key buildings that the museum is planning to utilize in the future, where it wants to present a new, modern, and interactive museum to the residents of Prague and visitors, which has been lacking in the capital city so far," Moravcová added.

According to previous statements, the museum plans to place an exhibition on the history of Prague in the 19th, 20th, and early 21st centuries, including the history of World War I and World War II, as well as the history of totalitarianism. The museum's headquarters is also expected to move there, along with operational facilities. About 60 employees would relocate there. The museum's management currently resides in a building on Kožná Street, where the city is a co-owner.

Desfours Palace was built in the late Neoclassical style from 1845 to 1847. The architect was Josef Kranner, who constructed it for Count Desfours-Walderode. Inside, some of the original interiors, a three-armed suspended marble staircase, mosaic parquet floors, and other valuable items such as chandeliers, stained glass windows, and tiled stoves have been preserved.