Prague Approves Return of Marshal Radetzky Monument to Malostranské náměstí
City seeks return of original statue from the National Museum – costs of up to 30 million crowns expected
Visualisation: Spolek Radecký Praha
More than a century after its removal, the monument to Field Marshal Josef Wenzel Radetzky is set to return to Malostranské náměstí in Prague. The city assembly has approved its reinstatement and will now consider whether the original statue or a replica should be installed.
At its meeting on Thursday, the Prague City Assembly approved the return of the monument to Field Marshal Count Josef Wenzel Radetzky of Radetz to Malostranské náměstí. According to the city administration, the reinstatement of the monument will not only bring a significant work of art back to the historic centre of the Czech capital. It is also seen as an opportunity to commemorate an important figure in Bohemian history and to partially restore the historic appearance of one of Prague’s most important public squares.
Prague’s Councillor for Culture, Tomáš Slabihoudek, described the return of the monument as the restoration of an important part of the city’s historical identity. He said the monument possesses exceptional historical, artistic and urban significance and therefore belongs in the public space of the capital.
Foto: Portál hlavního města Prahy
The monument originally stood on Malostranské náměstí. Following the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918, however, it was regarded as a symbol of the Habsburg Monarchy and removed from public view. The statue was not destroyed but was professionally dismantled on the initiative of representatives of the Czech cultural and academic community and placed in storage at the Lapidarium of the National Museum.
In the coming months, a decision will be made on whether the original monument or an exact replica will return to the square. The city currently favours the return of the original, as it believes this would also be the more economical option. To this end, discussions are to be held with the Ministry of Culture regarding either the transfer of ownership of the artwork to the city or a long-term loan arrangement. Alternatively, a replica could be produced while the original remains in the Lapidarium.
The cost of restoring the monument is currently estimated at between 15 and 30 million crowns. The final amount will depend, among other factors, on the extent of the restoration work, the reconstruction of the pedestal and the design of the surrounding area.
Marshal Radetzky (1757–1848) was a field marshal, a Bohemian nobleman and arguably Austria’s most important military commander during the first half of the 19th century. He is particularly known for his strategic successes during the Napoleonic Wars. His significant role in the Battle of Custoza in 1848 contributed substantially to the stability and defence of the Habsburg Empire. The planned restoration of the monument is intended to highlight this historical significance and enrich Prague’s cultural heritage.
