NPÚ selected a contractor for the renovation of the Prague Invalidovna for 2.15 billion crowns

Prague – The Baroque Invalidovna in Prague is set to be repaired for 2.15 billion crowns, including VAT, by a consortium of companies including Metrostav, Avers, and Chládek a Tintěra. The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) has selected them. The institute has also requested the Ministry of Culture to release the necessary amounts. The restored complex, featuring two new extensions, is expected to be open to the public at the turn of 2029 and 2030. Today, spokesperson Blanka Černá informed ČTK about this on behalf of the NPÚ.

The general director of the NPÚ, Naďa Goryczková, described the selection of the contractor as a milestone that marks the beginning of the implementation phase after years of preparation. "Our goal is to sensitively restore one of the most significant Baroque monuments in the Czech Republic and open it as a living space for culture, education, and public gatherings," stated Goryczková.

The project includes the restoration of the old Invalidovna as well as a new building at its two southern gables for the Prague Philharmonic Choir and for the placement of technology. The new spaces aim to provide the choir with modern facilities, including rehearsal rooms and technology for professional choir operations.

The historical building will feature two permanent exhibitions, a gallery for temporary exhibits, a multifunctional hall for 170 visitors, visitor centers, and a café. The complex will also include NPÚ's specialized workplaces and a technological laboratory.

Visitors will be able to access 80 percent of the historical building's area. The Invalidovna courtyard and gardens will be freely accessible to the public during visiting hours as part of the surrounding parks. According to Černá, before the reconstruction, the NPÚ will once again make the building accessible to the public. The date will be announced in the coming days.

The budget of 2.15 billion crowns, according to previous statements from the NPÚ, represents its largest investment to date. The Invalidovna has held the highest degree of monument protection since 2017. It was declared a national cultural monument at that time and has been under the administration of the NPÚ since 2018. Since then, preparation for reconstruction and the completion of new necessary spaces has been underway. The NPÚ announced a competition for these, in which architect Petr Hájek's proposal was successful.

The Invalidovna was created based on a Parisian model for the needs of war veterans, according to the plans of the prominent architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. The cornerstone was laid in 1732 in the presence of Emperor Charles VI. The original plan accounted for accommodation for up to 4,000 invalids with their families, but only one-ninth of the project was realized.

The Invalidovna served to accommodate war invalids until 1935, and the life there was captured by photographer Josef Sudek. Later, the Military Central Archive operated in the building, which was significantly damaged by floods in 2002 before being transferred to the Office for State Representation in Property Matters, and in 2018, it was transferred free of charge to the NPÚ.