The renovation of the lower part of Wenceslas Square will start next year

Prague - Construction modifications to the lower part of Wenceslas Square in the city center will begin next year. Prague 1 today submitted an application for a zoning decision. The work will cost 150 million and will last six to eight months. The mayor, Adriana Krnáčová (ANO), said this to reporters at a press conference. The square will be transformed according to the architectural design by Cigler Marani Architects, which has been planned for years.

"This is not an easy matter, there are huge obstacles beneath the surface of the square, we must consider the residents and local businesses," said the mayor. A public discussion on the proposal will take place on October 13.

"The change primarily involves expanding pedestrian areas; we are widening the sidewalks. Another significant step is the expansion of tree lines and the reduction of parking spaces," said architect Vladimír Vacek. The linden trees will likely be replaced by planes, which are expected to be more suitable. The surface of the square will be covered with split granite paving, limestone mosaics, and granite cubes.

Representatives of Prague have been discussing the renovation of Wenceslas Square for several years. The company Cigler Marani Architects developed a project for the entire square in 2005. It is unclear when the renovation of the second part of the square will follow. The leadership of Prague considered whether to bring trams back to the square, but ultimately rejected this for the lower part of the square. There have also been disputes in the past over the construction of underground garages and their exits. Those will ultimately be in the square, but they will remain sealed for now. Issues surrounding the appearance and number of sales stands were also addressed. A pedestrian zone has been established in the lower part of the square, which is accessed by vehicles with permits, of which the office has issued about a hundred. A new elevator to metro stations A and B Můstek has also been created there.

Wenceslas Square is 682 meters long and approximately 60 meters wide. Originally named Horse Market, it was established by the decree of Charles IV. In the 19th century, it was first renamed St. Wenceslas Square and later to Wenceslas Square.