In Wenceslas Square, there will be an underground reservoir and a row of trees

Prague - The Prague City Hall will build an underground rainwater tank in the upper part of Wenceslas Square during its reconstruction. In the lower part, the tree rows will be replaced, and new trees will also be planted. This follows from documents approved today by the Prague councillors. Prague plans to reconstruct the entire square. Work in the lower part is expected to start this year and will cost 326.6 million crowns, while the start date for the upper part is still unclear.

The tank in the upper part will consist of two sections. The first will be used to capture rainwater from the square's surface and the roofs of buildings. The city will utilize the water for irrigation of the green areas in the square. The second part of the tank, referred to as the accumulation-retention component, will reduce pressure on the sewage system during rainfall. This will also decrease the likelihood of flooding the vestibule of the A line metro station Můstek, which has occurred, especially during heavy downpours.

The project to build the tank will be undertaken by the transport company (DPP), as part of the design process for the tram line from the National Museum to Jindřišská and Vodičkova streets.

Prague councillors also decided today to replace 45 trees in the lower part of the square. According to a dendrological assessment, the trees currently growing here are in poor condition. They will be gradually replaced with new trees. In the future, additional trees will be added to the existing row. According to the document approved by the councillors, lime trees are expected to appear in the square.

The renovation will take place based on a project by the architectural firm Cigler Marani Architects, which was created in 2005. During the reconstruction, the entire square will be repaved and the area for pedestrians will be expanded. This year, adjustments in the lower part of the square will begin from the tram line at Můstek, where the aforementioned trees will be planted, and only cars with permits will be allowed in the square. Drinking fountains will be added, along with a base for the placement of the Christmas tree.

Wenceslas Square is 682 meters long and approximately 60 meters wide. It was originally called Horse Market and was established by decree of King Charles IV. In the 19th century, it was first renamed St. Wenceslas Square and later to Wenceslas Square.