Prague is set to enhance one of its key urban landmarks as the City Council approved a budget revision to support the Prague City Gallery. The funding will help bring sculptural works to the Dvorecký Bridge, transforming its surroundings into a vibrant cultural and public space.
The Prague City Council approved a revision of the capital’s 2025 budget at its meeting on Monday, reallocating CZK 32.7 million from the city’s capital expenditure reserve to the Prague City Gallery. The funding will support the ongoing project Purchase of Sculptural Works for the Dvorecký Bridge, while the total budget for the investment has also been adjusted.
“The Dvorecký Bridge is not only a key transport structure, but also a prominent architectural and visual feature of the city. It shapes the everyday experience of thousands of people who will cross it or pass by,” said Tomáš Slabihoudek, Prague City Councillor for Culture. “That is why I am particularly pleased that, alongside its technical function, we are investing in the visual quality of its surroundings through a contemporary artistic intervention. This will give the area a distinct character and transform it into a fully fledged public space that serves not only transport needs, but also culture and the city’s aesthetic experience.”
Construction of the Dvorecký Bridge, linking the Prague districts of Podolí and Zlíchov, is currently nearing completion. The bridge is expected to open to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians in spring next year. Its surroundings will then undergo a major transformation, animated by original works by acclaimed Czech artist Krištof Kintera. These artistic interventions are scheduled for completion during 2027.
On the Zlíchov side, the area beneath the bridge will host a light installation entitled Light Removes Darkness, featuring a unique collection of public street lamps from 80 countries around the world.
On the Podolí side, the under-bridge space will become a multifunctional area designed as a cultural and recreational zone. Plans include an amphitheatre, skatepark, climbing wall, boating clubhouse and access to the Vltava River, with the aim of creating a vibrant place for social interaction and leisure. This part of the project was also designed by Krištof Kintera.
Since the budget was originally prepared, there have also been sharp increases in energy prices, material costs and fees for specialist craftsmanship, alongside higher expenses related to modifications of lamp posts and lighting fixtures. Additional costs arose from further design work, revisions to project documentation and the need to expand the designated area for the Light Removes Darkness installation beyond the immediate vicinity of the cyclists’ access loop.
The total cost of the investment project Purchase of Sculptural Works for the Dvorecký Bridge will rise from CZK 44.3 million to CZK 79.99 million.
