With an area of over 70,000 square meters, Charles Square is the largest square in Prague and the Czech Republic, and one of the largest in Europe. It is at once a square, a park, and a garden. It also holds significant historical and symbolic importance in the center of the square, where Ječná Street runs today, stood the Chapel of the Holy Body during the reign of Charles IV, housing the coronation jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, which drew pilgrims from all over Europe.

After many years of unsuccessful attempts, Prague, in cooperation with the Prague 2 Municipal District, heritage preservationists, the public transport company, and other stakeholders, finally selected the team to prepare a new architectural study: the German landscape architecture studio Rehwaldt Landschaftsarchitekten, in collaboration with the Czech architectural firm BY Architects and the Czech transport engineering firm PD Filip.

Precisely because of the many different interests that converge at this site, the IPR Prague, as the organizer of the selection process, chose a progressive form known as a “competitive dialogue,” which, thanks to a participatory process and public discussion among all stakeholders at workshops, increases the likelihood of reaching consensus among the various stakeholders in the area.

The winning team proposes dividing the transformation of Karlovo Square into three phases. The square will thus be transformed gradually from minor adjustments that can be implemented quickly to fundamental changes that are long-term goals. Once the project documentation is finalized, a comprehensive revitalization of the park should take place, including, among other things, a new layout of the path network, which will allow for a comfortable route across the square, particularly from the metro station toward the hospital, while not restricting the use of the expansive lawns for relaxation. A new café and a playground are planned for the southern part of the square. The central area offers space for various outdoor exhibitions. The section of the park near the New Town Hall is set to undergo a complete renovation, where, in addition to social events, markets could also be held.

Before construction begins, arboricultural work will be carried out by the company Gardenline for approximately 9 million crowns excluding VAT. The contract includes root surveys, root pruning, and tree relocation, including historic and other valuable trees. Sidewalks will remain open to pedestrians during the work. Work will begin in the fall of 2025 and is expected to last about six months.

The project has had a non-final zoning decision since the end of June 2025. Once it becomes final, the City Hall will apply for a building permit. If the city wishes to utilize European subsidies, it must submit the application by June 2026 and complete the renovations by November 2030.

The park revitalization itself is set to begin in 2026. Estimated costs amount to approximately 250 million CZK. The project is being prepared by the Investment Department of the Prague City Hall.