Protestant Theological Faculty reopened its building after reconstruction

After a general reconstruction, the Marathon Palace in Černá Street in Prague 1, which has been the seat of the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University (PTF CU) since 1995, was officially reopened to the public. After twenty months in a temporary mode, the building is once again serving students, teachers, and the wider public.

Petr Gallus, Vice Dean of Development of the PTF CU and coordinator of the entire reconstruction

The general reconstruction has been underway since June 2023 and has affected all areas of the building; the aim was to completely modernize the Marathon Palace, its teaching and administrative areas and all operational systems to provide conditions for study and research according to current standards.

The renovation has brought a major increase in comfort for students, staff, and visitors, including barrier-free access to all floors of the building. The main modifications include changing the layout of each floor to make the use of classrooms and offices more efficient, the installation of air conditioning and ventilation, the replacement of all windows and doors, the installation of a new elevator, and the complete revitalization of the faculty library in the basement as well as of the cafeteria on the ground floor.

A community that is not only academic

Staff, teachers, students, and graduates of the faculty, who fully contributed offering their help during the works, were welcomed by the Dean of PTF CU Jan Roskovec at the opening ceremony. "The inhabitants of this house proved to be a community, and not only an academic one. You have shown that the faculty may need a shelter but is not dependent on the building as such. You have shown that it is the people who are most important. The people who, throughout the past year and a half, continued to teach, research, study, and cared for the running of the faculty, strengthening themselves in patience and perseverance both in body and soul while they tirelessly dusted, washed, and moved books and furniture," he thanked those present.

Dean of PTF CU Jan Roskovec

According to Matěj Bouček from the PTF CU's Public Relations Department, several self-help moving of people and furniture, along with the progress of the reconstruction work, served as a significant faculty team-building, which, among other things, saved half a million Crowns that would otherwise have still had to be spent additionally towards the total budget of 174 million CZK.

"We are glad that we can now get used to a bit of the comfort and peace again after a year and a half of construction work. And we can be grateful not only for the result of the restored house, but also for the way in which we have come to it together," added Dean Jan Roskovec, who personally walked those interested through the entire building.

Before that, in the packed lecture hall of the faculty, he introduced the guests to the history of the building and showed images depicting the life of the faculty during the reconstruction.

After a performance of the PTF choir, Petr Gallus, Vice Dean of Development of the PTF CU and coordinator of the entire reconstruction, thanked all those who participated in the reconstruction of the building, including architects, construction companies, and especially the management of Charles University, which provided not only advisory, but especially financial assistance.

Love for the faculty

"Whenever I had the opportunity to meet with colleagues from the Protestant Faculty, it was a very nice and friendly academic discussion. Any problem was always solved openly, helpfully, and also efficiently. And there was always love that I felt from all of you toward your faculty, which is not common at other faculties of the university," said Milena Králíčková, the rector of Charles University, who was present as well.

Milena Králíčková, the rector of Charles University

"It is a great pleasure for me to see the completed reconstruction process of the Protestant Theological Faculty and I wish you from the bottom of my heart that you enjoy the building and that it serves you, your teachers, students, and graduates well. And also, that the spirit of unity that I have always been able to experience here will endure. I wish you good luck, health, and may your academic life only prosper," the Rector added in her speech.