The Charles Bridge Repairs - the Charles Bridge Is in Good Hands

The Charles Bridge is one of the most significant historical sights in the Czech Republic. For centuries already, it has been an inseparable part of the capital city of Prague and its sovereign position among the other Prague bridges was never put in doubt. It connects the oldest city districts and the view over the bridge at the skyline of the Hradčany is one of the breath-taking sights of Europe. Many a time, historical events that shaped the Czech sovereignty took place on it. It had to rise from the ashes like phoenix of the fables several times throughout its history. With an immense effort of our predecessors has this sight kept its look until today. Thus, also our generation should set its goal to preserve the bridge so that no blushing will be necessary due to controversial interventions.

The Charles Bridge Museum is a facility which I founded with the kind contribution of the capital city of Prague in early 2008. I have been observing the events that somehow involved the bridge in them and and I am trying to present them in the museum with frankness and openness. Hand in hand with the museum staff, we are most interested in preventing the repairs of "our" bridge to end up in the incompetent hands thus losing it's historical authenticity. Recently, we allowed for space for expert discussion which we expected to calm the waves of emotions that kept on undermining the imaginary piers carrying the today's repairs design. Since the waters haven't ebbed, heaving with the opinions of the general public, I decided to express not only my opinion but also that of other experts who are involved with the background of theCharles Bridge Museum.

Zdeněk Bergman, the Charles Bridge Museum director, January 15, 2009

 

An old spite - is the repair method correct?

The repair method itself hopefully does not need to be defended anymore. The bridge was in a state of disrepair before the commencement of the repairs. This fact called for immediate action.... full text

Report of the Historical Inspectorate of the Ministry of Culture: an Administrative Error.

The following can be said to comment the recently ongoing repairs: the repairs of the bridge stonework railing have become the target of stinging criticism by the Historical Inspectorate of the Ministry of Culture.... full text

 

Historical and Structural Survey

Another complaint about the repairs preparations, that of insufficient historical and structural survey, is irrelevant from the standpoint of the ongoing repairs.... full text

 

 

Statue Protection

 

One of the most frequent and thus most serious complaints was insufficient protection of the sculptures decorating the bridge. .... full text

 

 

An Old or a New Bridge? – Replacing the Sandstones in the Bridge Parapet

 

The largest discussion time was allowed for the way the repairs would be carried out, for obvious reasons.  From this time, the most was taken up by the discussion whether the replacement of the sandstone blocks was justified or, alternatively, the quality of the used sandstone from Kocbeře quarry.... full text

 

Bridge Parapet Bearing Witness to Historical Development – a Change in the Stonework Layout

One of the most media monitored issues was the repairs of the bridge parapet of the bridge. Aggravation was caused mostly by the change of the structure of the original stonework layout.... full text

 

 

“It Is Raining into the Charles Bridge!”- Laying the New Insulation of the Bridge Road Surface

 

Work at the bridge road surface insulation was made necessary by poorly carried out repairs from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Rain water poured into the bridge.... full text