The Kotva department store has been declared a cultural monument again

Prague - The Ministry of Culture has once again declared the Prague department store Kotva a cultural monument. CTK was informed today by the ministry's spokesperson Martha Häckl. The department for heritage protection of the Ministry of Culture reached the same conclusion as in the previous decision, namely that Kotva meets the criteria for designation as a cultural monument. The decision will become legally effective unless challenged, which should occur within approximately a month of its issuance.

According to the ministry, Kotva is an exceptional building from the early 1970s. Its authors are the couple Věra and Vladimír Machonin. The justification for its current designation as a monument states that the structure has remained in nearly intact condition and that the architects creatively solved the challenging task of integrating a large new building into a heritage conservation area. By connecting with the adjacent Kotva Palace, from which it derives its name, it integrates into the surrounding development and connects on the ground floor with the passage of the Kotva Palace, as stated in the decision.

"Once the decision becomes legally effective, the department store Kotva will be protected twice," said Minister of Culture Antonín Staněk (ČSSD). "Firstly, because it is located in the Prague Heritage Reserve, and secondly, by the granting of the status of a cultural monument. I am pleased that the fate of such buildings matters to people, and I will advocate for other significant structures that, fortunately, still stand, not to be overlooked," he added.

Among other things, the ministry is currently dealing with the potential heritage protection of the New Stage of the National Theatre or the building of the urological clinic in Prague’s Karlova, which are also constructions from the second half of the 20th century. However, the office has refused to initiate proceedings regarding the designation of another building from the post-war period, the former headquarters of the International Union of Students in Paris Street, deeming the request unfounded.

The proceedings to declare Kotva a cultural monument began in 2016, and it was declared one last autumn. The new owner, however, filed a challenge against this decision, claiming that he was overlooked as the new owner. Since 2016, Kotva has belonged to the Prague Property Administration of billionaire Václav Skala.

"To avoid court disputes and prevent harm to the state, the minister revoked the first-instance decision out of precaution and referred the matter back to the first instance for re-examination as soon as possible," the ministry stated today.

The new ministry decision was delivered to the owner’s data box on April 8. However, under administrative procedure, the date of delivery of the decision to the authorized representative of the owner on a written receipt is procedurally decisive. It is expected that the representative will collect the letter within 14 days, after which the statutory fifteen-day period for filing a potential challenge will begin. If a challenge is filed, it will be decided again by a second-instance administrative body, which is the Minister of Culture, after being reviewed by the appeals commission.