The project design of renovation work in the historical part of Prague was awarded last year to the general contractor HOCHTIEF VSB a.s., Division 1 o.z. The designer’s team of Operation 5 under the leadership of Site Manager Mr. Mirek Polena is working on this project design. The construction work was commenced in September 2005. The deadline has been specified as the end of July this year.

The first part of the renovation of the western stairs, southern and eastern walls dates back to the time of construction of the Lobkowitz Palace. Original forged hand-railing can be found in a part of the stairs structure. The wall crown with a one-side monopitch inclination will be walled by using mostly new, hand made bricks. The entire section of 120 m, neighbouring with the U.S. Embassy, will be fitted with a forged fencing system with columns anchored into the boundary wall crown. The contractor consulted the National Monument Institute for plaster coat samples, and they together have selected the most suitable formula for the existing and new cretaceous marl masonry built of quarry stone. The wall will be rendered with a coarser one-layer plaster coat, smoothed with wood in order to remind us of the original structure as much as possible.

The second part of the project design is the renovation of the path and of almost 80 m long stairs which are currently covered with steps made of concrete blocks. They were constructed in the 1970s, but at that time it was covered with bitumen. The new stairs with drained landings will be founded on ribbon foundations and concrete slabs with nettings. The steps and kerb stones will be made of stone elements of coarsely bush-hammered yellow-grey granite, the paving system used on the stairs and paths will be made of chipped granite cuttings. A one-side forged hand-railing system will be made along the entire length of the stairs, with columns. The stairs have three rest areas with a thrashing-floor surface, where benches will be firmly installed among trees and will provide the best views of the historical part of Prague.

The path under renovation will be closed for visitors for all the time of renovation work. Then will they be more able to enjoy the path in a new coat after renovation during a walk to Petřín.

The renovation work is performed with a maximum respect to the environment. We avoid damage to trees and possible contamination of the construction site with oil substances, etc. Even though some tress are situated very near to the wall and stairs, in no case will there be any felling of trees. At the place of the wall, only some wildly growing shrubs and bushes originating from freely flying seeds which settled there will be removed in order to free space for renovation of the boundary wall, damaged due to its age. The soil affected by the temporary occupancy will be put into original conditions. The landscape part of the garden will be renewed in accordance with the recently issued monument protection intent to renovation of the Lobkowitz Garden.