Prague Castle has started the renovation of the monument to Julius Zeyer in Chotkovy Gardens

Prague - The administration of Prague Castle will repair the monument of writer Julius Zeyer in Chotkovy Gardens from 1913 over the next two months. Restorers will work on the stone part of the monument, the marble statues, and the artificial pond, and will also restore the damaged gilded lettering. The castle announced this on its website today. Adjustments to the entire park are expected to begin next year.

The mound was created by sculptor Josef Maudra from more than a hundred pieces of granite stone that form a cave. Inside, there are statues made of Tyrolean white marble depicting characters from Zeyer’s works, including Kazi, Teta, and Libuše or Radúz and Mahulena. The romantic atmosphere is enhanced by a water cascade and a pond. "The monument was unveiled more than 100 years ago. Since then, it has not undergone any comprehensive repair and some of its parts are very damaged. Among other things, the restorers will restore the bronze medallion with the poet's likeness at the top of the monument and the stone plaque with the titles of his works on the back of the memorial," noted Barbora Féret from the Administration of Prague Castle.

Experts will also focus on reconstructing the water reservoir area close to the monument. They will repair the bottom, banks, and stones. The method of modifying the surroundings and the remaining parts of the pond will be drawn from the architectural competition for the restoration of Chotkovy Gardens, which the castle announced in collaboration with the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague in May this year. A total of seven proposals made it to the final round, from which a professional jury will select a winner. The winning proposal aims to preserve the original composition of the park, change the arrangement of greenery, and better connect the gardens with the rest of the city. "The main priority is to improve the park's environment for residents through sensitive modifications while also making it more accessible to visitors of Prague Castle. The competition's brief emphasizes the preservation of the uniqueness of this peaceful place and its values. A new concept of greenery will also be crucial," added the coordinator for the development of Prague Castle, Kateřina Špičáková.

Chotkovy Gardens were established in 1832, initiated by the last highest burgrave of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Karel Chotek, due to the construction of the neighboring road at the site of the original economic background of Prague Castle. The park was originally named People's Garden and was renamed after Chotek in 1841. Subsequently, it was modified at the end of the 1880s according to the design of the then director of Prague Parks and Gardens, František Thomayer. It borders the Queen Anne’s Summer Palace and the Royal Garden of Prague Castle, and is connected to Letná Park by a footbridge over Chotková Street.