Petition for the preservation and conversion of the functionalist train station in Valašské Meziříčí

The NPÚ Commission recommends considering the preservation and conversion of the train station in Valašské Meziříčí

The position of the commission for the protection of the heritage fund in the field of railway transport of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) from May 7, 2026, recommends considering the retention and conversion of the railway station's dispatch building in Valašské Meziříčí. According to the commission, such a solution could be more meaningful, probably even economically advantageous, and at the same time meet both the needs of the investor and the public interest of the local community.

The preparation of the new railway station design was carried out within the framework of the standard project process according to Act No. 416/2009 Coll., on the acceleration of the construction of transport, water and energy infrastructure. The design of the new dispatch building did not arise from an open architectural competition.

The initiative to declare the building a cultural monument was submitted at a time when a project for the modernization of the station based on the demolition of the existing dispatch building and its replacement with a new construction was already being prepared. Its primary aim was not to achieve heritage protection of the object, but to allow for a professional assessment of its values and to explore the possibilities for its further use.

In its final statement, the commission states:
“In conclusion, we recommend considering the retention of the object, which, despite degrading construction interventions, better corresponds to the character of a monument of local significance, and to carry out its conversion, during which the designer would not be bound by the conditions of monument care. Such a solution would certainly be more meaningful and probably also economically advantageous and could meet both the investor's needs and the public interest of the local community.”

The commission also points out that in this specific case, the declaration of the cultural monument appears to be an extreme solution, just as the complete demolition by the investor without considering the potential of the values of the object or its parts for the new building is an extreme solution.

The Railway Administration subsequently stated that the decision not to declare the building a cultural monument confirms the correctness of the intention to demolish and construct a new building.