Representatives of the Prague City Hall would like a hospice center in Veleslavín Castle

Prague – Representatives of the Prague city hall today discussed the use of Veleslavín Castle, where a hospice center could be established. This would be in line with the original use of the building, which previously housed a neurological sanatorium. According to city representatives, the property is currently empty and deteriorating. The metropolis wants to acquire the area into its ownership and is currently negotiating with the state, which currently owns the castle. This was announced today by city hall spokesperson Vít Hofman in a press release.

"Establishing a hospice that would connect the community with care for patients in the terminal stage of life-limiting illnesses and at the same time be a top educational center is a necessary step to ensure not only quality care of this type but also a need to ensure care capacity given the aging population," said Prague councillor for social policy and healthcare Milena Johnová (Praha Sobě).

The idea to build a hospice in Veleslavín originated, according to information in the press release, from the Kosák brothers, who are reportedly descendants of the original owners of the castle. In addition to the hospice, plans for the castle include a café, cultural center, and a school of arts.

Prague has been trying to acquire Veleslavín Castle into its ownership since 2018, according to councillor for property Jan Chabr (TOP 09). The city is now offering the state Faust's house in Karlovo náměstí and land near the Homolka Hospital in exchange for the unused monument, meaning properties that are currently used by state-established organizations.

Prague is currently working on the development of so-called palliative care, that is care provided to patients suffering from incurable diseases in advanced or terminal stages. Supporting the capacity of palliative care providers is part of a long-term concept that the city leadership approved at the end of 2019. Due to the insufficient capacity of the existing two Prague hospices, many Prague residents requiring palliative care are often sent to inpatient hospices in Čerčany or Litoměřice. Many do not receive palliative care, and people are dying on acute beds in hospitals in Prague. City representatives have so far also supported the establishment of a special outreach team focused on severely ill patients who require palliative care. Since autumn, it has been established by the Prague emergency medical service.

Palliative care provides services to people suffering from incurable or chronic diseases in advanced or terminal stages. Its goal is to alleviate the physical and mental suffering of the patient, maintain dignity, and provide support to their family and loved ones. Various non-profit organizations already provide these services in the capital, including the establishment of mobile hospices that enable patients to die in their home environment with the help of medical teams.

Veleslavín Castle in Prague 6, with a historic park spanning three hectares, dates back to around 1725. It was built according to plans by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer for Empress Amálie of Brunswick. In the first half of the 20th century, the castle served as a neurological sanatorium, founded by Leo Kosák and one of the discoverers of Alzheimer’s disease, Oskar Fischer. For instance, Charlotta Garrigue Masaryková and Milena Jesenská were treated there. After the Communist coup, the area was nationalized. After the revolution, various institutions leased the property. It now falls under the Office for the Representation of the State in Property Matters, which acquired the area from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in 2015. Recently, the castle and adjoining buildings have been deteriorating, and the area with the forest park is closed to the public. The last renovation of the area was in 1986.