We have introduced the concept of revitalization

The design by Zaha Hadid Architects, concerning the 1st stage of the project, was chosen for its high quality in terms of both the urban and the architectural solution. The urban design gives the area a creative system of new public spaces of a different nature. They arise in the areas with a deficit of public space and urban greenery, continuously build on the structure of the city, overcome current barriers and create opportunities for new social activities.

Analysis of the current state
Plan of the revitalization of the area

Values of the area

The classicist Masaryk Station building, dating back to 1844-1845, is now the oldest operated terminus railway station in Europe.

The National Technical Museum plans to implement a large exhibition project of the Railway and Electrical Engineering Museum in the former workshops of the Masaryk Station, which are protected as a registered immovable cultural monument.

Na Poříčí Street, with a rich offer of business, social, cultural and sporting activities, is becoming, thanks to the increasing demand for retail space, a continuation of the shopping street Na Příkope.

The crooked streets of Petrská čtvrť, the settlement of which dates back to the 11th century, represent a valuable hinterland of the revitalized locality.

V Celnici Street, with its hotels, restaurants, shops and other amenities, has the potential to become an attractive gateway to the centre of Prague from the Masaryk Station after the revitalization.

Many important cultural institutions, such as Divadlo Archa (the Archa Theatre), Hudební divadlo Karlín (the Karlín Music Theatre), Divadlo Ponec (the Ponec Theatre), the Karlín Studios or Muzeum hl. m. Prahy (the Museum of the City of Prague), are located in the immediate vicinity of the railway station.

The Vítkov Hill with the National Memorial (Národní památník) is a significant landmark of Prague and a place with a strong identity related to the history of the Czech lands.

The Karlín Barracks (Karlínská kasárna), built between 1846 and 1949, represent another important monument in the classicist style. The Ministry of Justice is preparing their transformation into the Justice Palace.

The attractiveness of Karlín is determined by its urban structure, i.e. by regular blocks and generous public spaces with plenty of greenery, as well as by good transport accessibility. Thanks to a number of investments, it offers many job opportunities, as well as cultural and social ones.

Vrchlického Sady is the largest park on the right bank of Prague 1. Despite its neglected state, it represents an important natural value with the potential to be a place for recreation and social activities.

Problems of the area

The Masaryk Station and its railroad constitute a major barrier in the centre of Prague. There is no direct pedestrian connection between Na Florenci and Opletalova Street and, in a wider context, of the localities of Florenc and the Main Station.

The important public area at the northern entrance to the Masaryk Station is used as a car park. Parking cars represent a barrier in pedestrians´ motion.

Na Florenci Street lacks living standards. Even though the new activities in the buildings and passages from Na Poříčí to Na Florenci Street bring life back to this locality, it still serves only for a rapid transport through the territory. Vehicle parking is the only activity along the southern edge of this street.

The overhead line of the North-South Highway (Severojižní magistrála) represents another significant barrier in the permeability of the area between the New Town and Karlín and Žižkov. Strong traffic intensity affects the area with noise and emissions.

The inhospitable space of Křižíkova Street below the North-South Highway lacks an urban character. The site attracts socially pathological phenomena. There is no clearly defined street here. Pedestrians walking in this area do not feel safe.

The place near the North-South Highway used as a car park has the character of an urban periphery. Due to the proximity of the transport node of national importance, it has high potential for another use.

Objects and areas previously used for freight rail transport lost their function. The potential of this locality in the centre of Prague is not sufficiently exploited.

An appropriate connection between the building of the Museum of the City of Prague and Křižíkova and Na Florenci Streets does not exist.

The U Bulhara heavy-traffic junction lacks an urban character. At the same time, there is no walking link to the North.

Pedestrian interconnection of Na Florenci, Hybernská and Opletalova Streets

Thanks to the roofing of the Masaryk railway station, a fast and attractive connection between the Na Florenci, Hybernská and Opletalova Streets will be created. Therefore, it will be possible to reach Florenc from the Main Station within a comfortable ten-minute walk.

Public space with a park over the railroad

A public space with a park layout will be created for the roofing of the track, which will serve not only for a pedestrian and barrier-free access to the platform but also for recreational and social use.

Completion of a green belt composition

The park above the railroad will reduce the deficit of the parks in this part of Prague 1 and it will create a green belt of adjacent parks from Čelakovského sady through Vrchlického sady and further to the Těšnov park, with the connection to the recreation belt along the Vltava embankment.

Extension of the railroad for the trains going to the airport

The Masaryk Station will be extended by a new platform, which will provide a sufficient capacity for the trains going to the Václav Havel Airport and Kladno. This will strengthen the function of the Masaryk Station as a metropolitan transport hub. The new railway connection will reduce the reliance on car traffic.

Transformation of Na Florenci Street into a city boulevard

The construction of a new block along the northern edge of the Masaryk Station will define the profile of Na Florenci Street. A city boulevard with facilities on the ground floor (parterre) of the buildings will emerge. It will be connected to V Celnici Street, which will gain a similar character after the planned revitalization.

Emergence of a square at the intersection of Havlíčkova and Na Florenci Streets

The current parking lot at the end of Na Florenci Street will be replaced by a square. The traffic solution of the public space will give priority to pedestrians and provide them with a better comfort when changing from a train to a tram and metro.

Completion of the block at the crossing of Hybernská and Wilsonova Streets

A new block with a triangular ground plan, which will host a hotel, shops and catering facilities, will be created on the previously unused parking area between the railroad, Hybernská Street and the North-South Highway. The building will define the street profile of Hybernská Street and provide it with a barrier against the noise coming from the traffic on the North-South Highway.

New Street to the Railway Museum

Between the railroad and the completed block, there will be a new street, allowing entry to the area of the former locomotive depot, where the National Technical Museum plans to set up the Railway and Electrical Engineering Museum.

New Square at Florenc

The urban design related to the emergence of a new square near the Florenc Bus Station aims to transform this busy traffic junction into a representative entrance to the city. The new street network will create attractive pedestrian and cycling links to the Old Town, improve the orientation and complete the urban character of this site.

New little square in Na Florenci Street

A new little square in the axis of the Florentinum shopping mall will allow a direct connection between Na Poříčí Street and the entrance to the platform above the railroad. This is where new background facilities for the train passengers will be created. Thanks to the rotating floors of the surrounding houses, this square will be partially roofed.

Get acquainted with the revitalization plan.

Panels from the exhibition Masaryčka spojuje (Masaryk Station Connects) to download (5,5 MB)