Bertramka Declared National Cultural Landmark By Minister of Culture
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On January 28th, the day after Mozart's 263rd birthday, the Maestro received one of the best gifts the 21st Century could offer him: the preservation of his beloved friends' villa where he was a house guest in 1787 and 1791. Read more about this history.
Bertramka, whose decline has been exacerbated by neglect over the past few years, was declared a National Cultural Landmark by the Minister of Culture, Antonín Staněk. This new designation means that the property will now have state protection and funding for rehabilitation and maintenance.
The following are local news articles (select translate in browser):
"Mozart's Villa Bertramka is a National Cultural Monument. The New Status Helps Her With Funding" (Blesk.CZ)
"Prague Villa Bertramka, Where Mozart also Resided, Became a National Cultural Monument" (Aktualne.CZ)
I'd like to thank my colleague David Bahlman, an Architectural Historian and Preservationist, for his work in this matter and for keeping me informed through his contacts in Prague.
I thought this would never happen, so I'm feeling both excitement and disbelief. If you've been following my coverage of this story, you'll know that I've long championed the effort with Friends of Bertramka and other allies. It was last February when I penned an article about what seemed like a hopeless situation.
Read my article: "Praguers No Longer Understand Mozart, Metro States as Bertramka Declines."
Now, one year later, after mounting public pressure, there is action. We raised our voices as a global community alongside the concerned citizens of Prague and succeeded. Bertramka has been saved from an uncertain future, a future that could have ended in collapse or demolition. Victory is ours!
Sherry
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