Prague is preparing adjustments to Jan Palach Square

Prague - Prague will renovate the pavement of Jan Palach Square. It is currently completing the project documentation. By the end of the year, it should obtain a zoning decision and prepare documentation for a building permit and a contractor competition next year. It is still unclear what the costs of the modifications will be. This was stated by the press spokesman of the capital city, Vít Hofman, in response to an inquiry.

"The current form of Jan Palach Square has evolved through a gradual, often spontaneous and uncoordinated process of various repairs and modifications. Therefore, it is currently functioning very problematically and there are several critical points," Hofman stated. Problematic issues include, for example, narrow sidewalks, inconsistent surfaces, the difficult-to-use area in front of the Rudolfinum, or inadequate tram stops.

The reconstruction of the square is divided into three stages. The first concerns the renewal of the square itself between the Rudolfinum and the AAAD (University of Art, Architecture, and Design). The entire area will be newly paved, and the garage building in the middle of the square will be replaced with a pole.

The next stage will focus on revitalizing Alšovo nábřeží, where the area in front of the Rudolfinum Gallery will be cultivated, the promenade along the Vltava River will be complemented with rows of trees, and the area around the university will be improved. The third stage includes modifications of the streets 17. listopadu and Křižovnická, as well as improvements to the tram line and upgrading of the stops.

The first and second parts will last one year, will be carried out concurrently or closely follow each other, and will limit traffic from Mánesův bridge. The third stage will follow with a delay, coordinated with other reconstructions.

The square houses the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, the AAAD, the Czech Philharmonic in the neo-Renaissance building of the Rudolfinum, and at the corner of the square is the Museum of Decorative Arts.