For the construction site of the Marian Column, the association will pay one million crowns

Prague - The Society for the Reconstruction of the Marian Column in the Old Town Square in Prague will pay the city company Technical Communication Administration (TSK) more than one million crowns for the construction of the column. The money will cover the occupation of land for the construction site. This follows from a contract available to ČTK. Some Prague councilors criticize that the land was not borrowed for free. The construction of the column began on February 17 of this year and is expected to last until mid-September. Upon completion, the column will become the property of the city.

The return of the column to the square is accompanied by long-standing disputes. The original column from the 17th century was toppled by a crowd in 1918 because it was seen as a symbol of the Habsburg monarchy. Its return has been discussed since the 1990s. Proponents of the restoration consider it a symbol and a reminder of the defenders of Prague during the Thirty Years' War and an important Baroque artwork. Opponents claim it is a symbol of Habsburg rule and intolerant reconversion of the country.

The company has rented a plot of land measuring 289 square meters for the construction site. The lease is arranged for a fixed term, until September 15. It will only be interrupted from the end of March to the second half of April due to the Easter markets which will take place in the square. The fee for the occupation will be paid in installments, with the first installment of 202,300 crowns and two payments of 421,840 crowns each. The company has already paid the first installment. According to ČTK's information, it will collect money from supporters of the column's construction for the next installment.

Today, councilors Patrik Nacher (ANO) and Jan Wolf (KDU-ČSL) criticized the process. Nacher described it as scandalous on his Facebook profile. "Although I abstained from voting in the council (on the placement of the replica of the original column), I respect how the majority decided. However, it is incomprehensible to me that TSK, probably in agreement with the mayor (Zdeněk Hřib, Pirates), I doubt this is its autonomous decision, did not provide a loan agreement (free of charge) for the necessary occupation, but rather a lease agreement," wrote Nacher. Wolf added that it is also a price customary for commercial events.

Mayor Hřib (Pirates) denied that TSK had been tasked in any way. "I object to the false claims of MP Nacher that I instructed TSK in this regard. It has my phone number, so he could have verified it before he started spreading fake news on social networks," the mayor told ČTK. Hřib stated that he assumes it was a standard provision for the occupation, which factually occurred even before the signing of the contract. "I expect that this matter will also be verified and resolved in a standard way," Hřib added.

Prague councilors had previously repeatedly refused to agree to the placement of the replica of the original column. The situation changed this January when a majority was found in the council to revoke the original dissenting opinion of the city. Following this, TSK permitted the construction occupation.

Sculptor Petr Váňa brought the replica of the column in about 250 pieces to Prague last year by boat and subsequently attempted to start the construction in the square, but it was stopped by police due to the missing occupation. Váňa then left the work on the boat on the Vltava River and continued working with a team of stonemasons to complete it.