Revitalization of Jiráskovo Square and the Monastery Garden in Pilsen‑Slovany
We are part of a project that will restore the original beauty of Jiráskovo Square and make the monastery garden accessible to the public. Thanks to this restoration, the square and the garden will become attractive places for residents and visitors of Plzeň.
About the Transformation
The natural center of the Slovany district of Plzeň is currently plagued by many problems, including damaged surfaces, poor vegetation conditions, and a lack of facilities that would encourage people to stay. Nevertheless, the square has features that locals are proud of: mature chestnut trees, a unique 1920s–1930s atmosphere, a functioning monastery, and architecturally valuable buildings like the church and school.
The idea to restore Jiráskovo Square has existed for several decades. In 2012, the initiative of students from the local Masaryk Elementary School turned it into a living topic, proposing to open the monastery garden to the public. Two years later, the city council followed up with a project in collaboration with the local association Pěstuj prostor, the Dominican Monastery in Plzeň, and Masaryk Elementary School Plzeň. The preparation also involved the wider public.
The architectural competition was won by the re:architekti studio, which presented a visionary proposal for the future appearance of the square.
The project for the restoration of Jiráskovo Square and the Monastery Garden is the result of active cooperation between the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, the Municipal District of Plzeň 2–Slovany, the Pěstuj Prostor association, the Dominican Monastery in Plzeň, Masaryk Elementary School Plzeň, TJ Sokol Plzeň V, and the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Plzeň.
„When our students joined the Creative Democratic School: Cultivate Space project years ago with a proposal to open the Monastery Garden to the public, none of us really imagined that this idea would help initiate the reconstruction of the entire square.“
Principal of Masaryk Elementary School Plzeň
Park Restoration
Since 2015
Total Area of the Project Site
3.2 ha
Project Selection
Grant Call 2014
Project Authors
An archtectural re:architekti studio s.r.o.
Budget
350 to 400 million CZK
Foundation Financial Support
Up to 25 million CZK
More about the transformation
The monastery garden will open to the public and become an integral part of the public space. The garden will be divided into several sections for people of all age groups: a grassy playground for sports activities, a quiet zone for relaxation, a school garden for education, and a community space for local gatherings. Contrastingly the monastery garden will be a closed and self‑sufficient world, versus the open and accessible square and the adjacent park.
Contacts
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