Description
The project aims to protect and preserve Czech cultural heritage by comprehensive restoration of baroque Novomlýnská Water Tower in the centre of Prague near Vltava River. With objective of historical restoration of the exterior parts of the tower and the reconstruction of the interior wooden staircase the historical monument will be later opened to the public. The Novomlýnská Water Tower is a part of the unique system of Prague's historic water towers, showing the high technical level of the historic city water supply system. It is a large building which supplied water from the Vltava to the lower part of the New Town part of Prague until 1877. The tower has six floors and is clad externally with sandstone blocks. The scenic overlook on the top faces all four directions. Due to unsatisfactory technical conditions of the roof and rafters, emergency status of the perimeter stone masonry which is disintegrated (protection nets are used) the tower is closed to the public. The condition of the tower is worsening on account of the long-term rainwater in-leak. The removal of these problems is one of the crucial tasks of the planned restoration of the monument. The Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Prague 1, which is seated in the tower´s yard, will provide cooperation and help at the construction site as the project partner. The Association will further participate in the preparation of the exhibition of “Prague firefighters and fire” and organize additional educational programs, which are planned in the restored tower in the sustainability phase of the project. The restored and accessible Novomlýnská Water Tower will become a new place to visit on the cultural map of Prague in the less visited historic part of Prague.
Summary of project results
The Novomlýnská Water Tower, that used to supply the lower part of the Prague New Town, is the only reminder of the former 14th century mills. The current appearance of the tower originated in 1658 and in 1877, the building stopped functioning as a water tower. Prior the project implementation, the tower was closed to the public due to serious disrepair. Weathering processes, including wind, sunlight, rain, snow and moisture as well as anthropogenic factors, including air pollution, contributed to the decay of exposed stone materials and affected the stability of the rock matrix. Conservation treatments have been applied to the protection and consolidation of stone before extensive disintegration would cause loss of surface material and therefore irreversible damage and loss of culturally meaningful stone building. Protection referred to treatments that waterproof and strengthen stone surfaces in order to keep water or other weathering agents from entering the core of the stone. Consolidation involved the impregnation and thus strengthening of a decayed porous stone with a cementing and hardening product. Thanks to the project and additional bilateral initiatives, the building has been converted into the museum and it hosts an exposition devoted to the history of fire and fire fighters. The display is designed to feature everyday life of Prague fire fighters in the past, both the professional fire brigade established in 1853 and the volunteers who have been a remarkable part of local social life for many decades. Bilateral cooperation with significant Norwegian institutions (Bergen City Museum, Museum of Architecture of the National Museum in Oslo) has been established beyond the scope of the project. Bilateral initiatives have helped to bring experts from both countries together and to inspire, motivate and share information and ideas to launch new modern solution of the exhibition content. The project impact includes the regeneration of significant cultural building which shall help to the emergence of a new tourist attraction promoting vibrant cultural quarter in Prague.
Summary of bilateral results