Cultural center unveiled after four-year renovation

After a reconstruction effort that took more than four years and cost nearly 200 million Kč, Malostranská beseda, the former town hall cum club, café and restaurant on Malostranské náměstí in Prague 1, officially reopened to the public March 1.

"It is one big multicultural building," says Martin Královský, director of Beseda's Music and Theater Club. "I feel tired from all the excitement, but it is a pleasure because people are coming back and are relishing it. After four years, we can hear music here once again."

The VIP soft opening included an evening performance by the theater group Jára Cimrman called The Act, a play that debuted at the Beseda Theater in 1967. A series of concerts by musical acts like Submarine Circus, Oskar Petr, Ivan Hlas and Madfinger followed, entertaining more than 700 guests.

Plans for the redevelopment of the Prague 1 building were initially put into motion five years ago and were initially estimated to cost only 30 million Kč, slated to renovate two of the building's four floors. After a delay, project directors learned in 2006 that the building's Renaissance-era framework was damaged to a greater extent than previously thought and the building would require more work to resemble its original look.

Building preservationists also agreed the three spires that adorned the top of the building until 1828, when they were allegedly deemed unstable, should be restored. They were reconstructed, blessed by Cardinal Miroslav Vlk and mounted atop the building in 2008.

All told, the renovation costs now total an estimated 200 million Kč ($10.4 million).

According to a Prague 1 spokesman, reconstruction was divided into two stages. The first began in 2006 and ended in mid-July 2008, and included the installation of ceilings, tower and front dormer walls. In the second stage, the towers, cupolas, lanterns and helmets were added, ending in late 2009.

Whereas before the reconstruction the building had only a club and restaurant, Beseda now contains a café, restaurant, pub, music and theater club, video café and art gallery.

Mayor Pavel Bém welcomed the opening of the building at an informal discussion held at Beseda Feb. 18, saying, "I am glad the reconstruction was a success. This building will now be able to continue its centennial tradition as a cultural center."

Martin Pánek, chairman of Vyšehrad 2000, the group in charge of gastronomy and catering for Beseda, said he hopes his food can match the hype of the building.

"There is such a long tradition with this building, and it's part of the memory of many residents of Prague," he said.

Malostranská beseda was first built in the 15th century and served as town hall for 300 years. It has been used as a cultural center since the 19th century.

- Klára Jiřičná contributed to this report.

Philip Heijmans can be reached at
pheijmans@praguepost.com