Choose an area:

The Reconstruction of the Historic Novomlýnská (New Mill) Water Tower and its Opening to the Public - 1. Phase

Department 58 – International Relations
Department 58 – International Relations

Published

Project
RegionPrague
Title of the ProgrammeCultural Heritage and Contemporary Art - programme area no. 16
Title of the ProjectThe Reconstruction of the Historic Novomlýnská (New Mill) Water Tower and its Opening to the Public - 1. Phase
Number of the Project---
Project Promoter

City of Prague Museum

www.muzeumprahy.cz

Name of Local Partner(s)

Volunteer fire brigade Prague 1

Objective of the Project

The project is, in accordance with the mission of MMP, entrusted to take care of movable and immovable cultural heritage. In the framework of this task, to also manage other monuments of a similar nature as the Novomlýnská tower. This concerns the Old Town Bridge Tower, the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, the Powder Tower, the Petrin Lookout Tower, and the St. Nicholas city bell tower. Novomlýnská water tower is a registered historic landmark. It 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 once supplied water from the Vltava to the lower part of the New Town part of Prague. The originally late Renaissance tower acquired its present Baroque form in 1658. The tower ceased to serve its purpose in 1877. The tower has six floors and is clad externally with sandstone blocks. There are windows facing in all four directions on the lookout on the top floor. The tower is currently inaccessible with its poor technical condition preventing its opening to the public. A survey detected the emergency status of the perimeter stone masonry, which is evident even at a cursory glance. The sandstone used has a soft sealant and the disintegration of the stones is occurring. The roof and rafters are in unsatisfactory condition. The condition of the tower is worsening on account of the long-term ignoring of rainwater drainage. The removal of this problem is one of the crucial tasks of the planned restoration of the tower. The aim of the project is a comprehensive building reconstruction - historical restoration of the exterior parts of the tower and the reconstruction of the interior - wooden staircase. For the purposes of the planned exhibition of Prague firefighters and fire, the building will be equipped with new electrical installations. The building of the exposition is not part of this application. It is planned as part of activities during the sustainability of the project. The Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Prague 1 will contribute to the implementation of the project through a closed partnership. They will provide the builder with cooperation within building the construction yard and create conditions for the work of specialists directly at the construction site. The restored and accessible Novomlýnská water tower will become a new place to visit on the cultural map of Prague. MMP will connect the accessible tower to its own tourist offer and will provide information and cultural services on its premises- presentation and artistic events within their standard projects and on the occasion of holidays and special projects such as the Prague Museum Night, the International Day for Monuments etc. The building will also be used in the context of activities directed towards minorities and vulnerable groups of the population, which has already been carried out by various non-profit organizations for several years.

Approved grant

approximately 1 116 981 EUR

Project DurationStart date: 1st January 2015, End date: 30th April 2016