There will be a public debate on the repair of the Green Gate in Pardubice before the referendum

Pardubice – Even before the referendum on whether or not to plaster the heritage-protected Green Gate, the city of Pardubice will hold a public debate with experts. The public will thus gain more detailed information to make an informed decision. The meeting is scheduled for September 20 at 6:30 PM at the cultural center. This was stated by city hall spokesperson Radim Jelínek. The referendum will take place in October during the elections. The gate has been unplastered for over one hundred years. The city hall is dealing with the restoration of the monument because temperature differences are damaging the masonry.

The city has assessments, one recommending to maintain the current state and the other suggesting plastering. "The assessments are on our website. Both methods of restoration are feasible, and each assessment points out the advantages and disadvantages of one or the other option," Jelínek said.

Experts from the Faculty of Restoration at the University of Pardubice are concerned that plaster based on hydraulic lime or mixed binders will not adhere well to the smooth and low-porosity masonry. The plaster would then have a limited lifespan. However, they agree with other assessments that it would protect the monument from weather fluctuations.

Restorers also stated that the condition of the masonry and the materials used do not immediately require covering with plaster to prolong their lifespan. They recommended long-term monitoring of temperature on the surface and in the internal layers of the tower. "Evaluating the measurements would allow for a qualified assessment of the influence of temperature on the movement of the structure. The monitoring could also include verifying the effectiveness of recently completed static supports," stated the restorers.

Authorized civil engineer Petr Rohlíček from the heritage reconstruction company Inreco leans towards restoring external plaster on all facades of the tower, except for the lower part of the southern facade, where the masonry has remnants of the demolished guardhouse; there, conservation would suffice. "The plastered option is more advantageous from many perspectives," Rohlíček stated in the assessment. According to him, the masonry will be better protected from ongoing erosion. The light-colored plaster would prevent the gate from heating up as much compared to dark stone materials. Additionally, it will return to its original appearance. Adhesion, structure, and color of the plaster must be tested in advance.

Preparation for the referendum is already underway, with it taking place in October during the parliamentary elections. Printing the ballots cost the city 10,000 crowns, and the envelopes 45,000 crowns. For promotion, which aims to provide citizens with sufficient information, the city will spend about half a million crowns. Officials must print the city symbol on approximately 69,000 envelopes, which is the number of eligible voters in Pardubice. At least 35 percent of them must vote in the plebiscite, and at least 17,000 voters need to express their opinion for one of the options. The question in the referendum will be: "Do you agree that when repairing the Green Gate the external plaster should be restored?"

The landmark of Pardubice is 59 meters high and serves as the entrance to the historical core of the city. It dates back to the early 16th century and has been unplastered since 1912 when the city had it removed in the spirit of historical purism.