The Prague Forum urged the Karlovy Vary Region not to demolish the pavilion

Prague/Karlovy Vary July 11 - The Prague Forum has called in an open letter for the Karlovy Vary Region and Governor Josef Novotný (ČSSD) to abandon the demolition of the peat pavilion next to the Imperial Baths in Karlovy Vary. The region intends to reconstruct the baths for hundreds of millions of crowns, but the project includes the demolition of the pavilion. However, the unique pavilion is also a protected monument and should not be demolished. Therefore, the Prague Forum is preparing further steps to save the pavilion, stated forum spokeswoman Alena Rybníčková in a statement.
    The pavilion, which was originally connected to the Imperial Baths building, is now significantly devastated. According to the project, it is to be replaced by a new technical facility for the spa. The Prague Forum points out the allegedly mistaken opinion of the governor that the pavilion is a separate facility standing apart from the Imperial Baths. "We point out that the peat pavilion is connected to the Imperial Baths underground. Without it, the baths would not make sense. Peat was prepared in it and transported underground to the Imperial Baths," the association wrote in a statement.
    The Karlovy Vary City Hall has also opposed the demolition of the pavilion. Novotný noted that the city's leadership suddenly changed its mind radically. "At the moment when the reconstruction of the historic building was about to begin, the political leadership of the city of Karlovy Vary stated that it did not want the pavilion to be demolished. Two years of work on the project, all negotiations on the financing of the renovation of the Imperial Baths, and preparations have thus been in vain," said Novotný, adding that the region will definitely not demolish anything in its territory without the consent of the city.
    According to the Prague Forum's statement, it is striking that the Karlovy Vary Region has applied to the Ministry of Culture to remove the heritage protection of the peat pavilion. While it proclaims or removes heritage status, this is only possible in the case of cultural monuments. "The Ministry could only decide on this matter until 2010. Your office submitted the application in that year, i.e., at a time when the Imperial Baths were declared a national cultural monument. Only the Government of the Czech Republic can make a decision on this with a possible resolution," the statement reads.
    The region's leadership announced that if the peat pavilion loses its heritage protection status, Karlovy Vary must clearly state whether it agrees to its demolition. "Just as we learned from the media that Karlovy Vary suddenly opposes our intention, we want to read that they agree with it. Of course, we will also require an official written statement, where the city clearly states that it should be demolished, thereby continuing with the initiated project," said Novotný.