City Hall admits mistakes in reconstruction of Charles Bridge

According to the internet news site iDnes, Prague City Hall has admitted mistakes were made in the ongoing reconstruction of Charles Bridge and, has said it would pay the owner of the bridge – that is itself - a fine of 54 thousand crowns. The quality of reconstruction work has repeatedly been criticized by the Inspection Office of the Culture Ministry which pointed out what it called visible mistakes in the stone railings, saying the work was insensitive to the historical value of the bridge. Criticism also came from the Prague Heritage Institute which said more stones were being replaced than was absolutely necessary and that the new stones had not been well-chiselled. There have even been calls for some of the reconstructed parts to be taken apart and re-done properly. It is not clear whether any of the mistakes made are going to be rectified, but City Hall has said it would proceed with greater caution in the future. The reconstruction of the bridge is to continue until 2012.