Unsure Future for Prague’s Gothic Cellars
Gothic cellars unearthed between Prague’s Old Town and its New Town are under threat after Czech Culture Minister Jiri Besser cancelled cultural heritage protection for the site. The cellars have been exposed to the elements since before the winter leaving local archeologists frustrated while valuable historic remains crumble.
A multi-functional space, the Copa Centre Narodni, is currently under construction on the spot of the gothic cellars, and some have speculated that the culture minister’s actions may benefit the project’s investors and development company a little more than necessary.
This is not the first time the Culture Minister has sparked anger against his treatment of historic architecture and artifacts. In May, Bressi agreed to the demolition of a 19th century building from the famed Wenceslas Square.
A definitive decision on the fate of the historic cellars will be made in several months.