Stock image. (source: TASR)
One of the most famous monuments in Bratislava's Petržalka is to be restored. Currently, the 18-meter steel sculpture called Dove of Peace resting at the intersection of streets Dolnozemská and Betliarska is in a state of disrepair.
So far, however, nothing has been done.
"For several years the project has been near and dear to many, from MPs to the residents. The statue was built in 1984 and no interventions have been made on it since, so due to the condition it is in, it requires a complete renewal," said Monika Adameková, head of the Project Management Department at the Municipal Authority.
Two-week long restoration
Intensive work on the restoration started in 2019. Conservationists were contacted to find out what can be done in order to avoid irreparably damaging the statue.
The statue will be restored both inside and out. The work is corroded mostly from the inside, as air circulation is not ensured and water vapours condense, weakening the structure of the statue itself. On the outside, there is some visible damage, so the statue will receive a better paint coat in the same original colour.
Starting mid-June at the latest, the restoration should last two weeks. The city district would like to finish the job by the end of the month, as the permission to enter the private land the statue is on is only valid until then.
The costs should exceed €20,000; €7,000 of that is a subsidy from the Bratislava Self-Governing Region.
Lit blue-yellow in solidarity
The metal monumental sculpture Dove of Peace was created by academic sculptor Karol Lacko. At the time, work cost 153,880 Czechoslovak crowns. It was included among the sights of the capital last year.
The Dove of Peace was illuminated in blue-yellow for some time as a sign of solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people. Four floodlights were bought for €2,500 and the district plans to use them for similar purposes in the future.
For example, the statue should be illuminated in green during June, as the city district wants to bring attention to the Petržalka Days 2022 event.
