Johnová (Prague to herself): The honorary burial ground in Ďáblický cemetery is a place of reverence of national importance
18.03.2022 13:57 | Press Release
The administration of the Prague cemeteries announced an architectural and landscape competition for the reverential renovation of the Devil’s Cemetery in Prague with an honorary burial ground for executed and learned prisoners and members of II. and III. resistance.
Until March 30, 2022, those interested in the contract can submit their portfolios with reference works, based on the quality of the expert jury, they will select 8 to 10 participants who will be invited to prepare a competition proposal.
“The honorary burial ground in the Ďáblice cemetery represents a place of reverence of national importance. The purpose of the architectural competition and subsequent implementation is to adapt the place in accordance with current historical knowledge, which will help from the chaos in the historical grasp and interpretation of the whole place, “says Milena John, Councilor for Social Policy and Health, who is also in charge of funeral services.
“The aim of the architectural and landscape competition is to design a new reverential arrangement of the northern part of Ďáblický cemetery, a space for worship and education. The landscaping of the entire area, which has almost one hectare, should sensitively connect the Honorary Cemetery of executed and tortured political prisoners and members of II. and III. resistance and other citizens with the entrance parts to the cemetery complex at the northern Cubist gate from Ďáblická Street. The task of the competition is also to propose the functional use of a pair of Cubist pavilions, eg for an exhibition, as well as the adaptation and use of the existing ceremonial hall and technical facilities for employees, ”explains Martin Červený, Director of the Prague Cemeteries Administration.
- PRAGUE TO ITSELF
- regional councilor
The participants of the competition can send their portfolios electronically to the Reports of Prague Cemeteries by March 30, 2022. Subsequently, the expert jury will assess the quality of reference works and select 8-10 teams, which will be invited to process competition proposals for reverence of the Devil’s Cemetery. They will submit their proposals at the end of August and the jury will choose a solution.
survey
Is Petr Fiala doing well as Prime Minister?
voted: 24091 people
The expert jury is composed of representatives of the Prague Cemetery Administration, the City of Prague. m of Prague, Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital m of Prague and also from leading Czech architects and landscape painters. Given the character of the cemetery and its importance as a national cultural monument, experts and experts from the Association of Former Political Prisoners, the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, the Military History Institute, the National Monuments Institute, etc. were also invited to the jury. In the future, complete all stages of project documentation so that the modification of the Devil’s Cemetery should be caused.
The Devil’s Cemetery is the second largest cemetery in Prague, right after the Olšany Cemeteries. It was built in 1912-1914 according to the design of architect Vlastislav Hofman and is the only Cubist cemetery in the Czech Republic. It has been protected as a monument since 1958 and in 2017 it was declared a national cultural monument.
In the burial ground by the northern wall of the cemetery, there are mass shaft graves of political prisoners wiped out by the Nazi and Communist regimes, members of II. and III. resistance and their family members. At the same time, there are also graves of executed occupiers, collaborators from the Czech population, German soldiers and civilians who perished in May 1945 in Prague.
Members of the communist nomenclature, the execution of multiple murderers, economic delinquents and a number of unknown persons, including children born to imprisoned mothers, are also buried here. For example, Zdeňka Mašínová, the mother of the Mašín brothers, or the Catholic priest Josef Toufar have a monument here. Fallen participants in the anti-Nazi resistance, such as Jan Kubiš, Jozef Gabčík and Václav Morávek, were also buried in the same place.
You can find more information about the competition HERE.
You can support the PL editor by purchasing a subscription. We don’t show ads to subscribers.
Are you a politician? Publish everything you want without editing. Register here.
Are you a reader and want to communicate with your representatives? Register here.
author: PV