Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(4):373-386

Renovation of the Clementinum by Ladislav Machoň: "From a quiet stand of the Theologians there was built a busy warehouse of modern science"

Martina Koukalová

When, at the beginning of the 1920's, the possibility of building a new building for the University Library in Prague proved to be unrealistic, art historian Zdeněk Wirth, whose competence in the Ministry of Education included the use of heritage buildings, decided to acquire the entire complex of the Baroque Clementinum and rebuild it. This was based on the rational reasoning that it could not be maintained and repaired without its meaningful use in the conditions of the new Czechoslovak Republic.
Adaptation of the Clementinum took place in five stages and lasted more than a quarter century (1923-1951). It was carried out by architect Ladislav Machoň under Wirth's professional supervision. In order for the extensive complex of the former Jesuit college to permit complicated library operations, there was a need for relatively large interventions into the building structure. At the same time, the architect had to respect the original art value of the monument, and the only new building could be the reading room. All artistically valuable interiors were only to be restored. Machoň - according to his own words - had to respect the spirit of the monument, but also to supplement it with modern architectural expression so as to create a unified whole. Machoň's renovation was appreciated not only by its co-creator and supporter of the conservation method, Zdeněk Wirth, but also by the champion of historical synthesis, art historian Václav Wagner. The adaptation of the Clementinum, alongside the Prague Castle and Černín Palace, became one of a trio of model interwar reconstructions.
Despite the fact that Machoň's adaptation was met with legitimate criticism, especially due to the historically problematic reconstruction of the eastern wing for the purpose of the technical library (1931-1932), the architect succeeded in creating a distinctive art layer which became the next development stage of the Clementinum. Contemporary heritage care unfortunately considers Machoň's intervention to be a mere utilitarian adaptation which, under the ongoing reconstruction, does not deserve protection.

Keywords: Clementinum, reconstruction, conversion, heritage protection, Ladislav Machoň, Zdeněk Wirth

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation