After extensive renovation work, Charles Bridge in Prague is once again festively illuminated. The city’s service partner, THMP, has successfully completed the planned refurbishment of the festive lighting. As part of the work, 182 luminaires and other components of the lighting system were completely renewed, allowing Prague’s oldest bridge to shine in new splendour after dark.
During the renovation, Charles Bridge was temporarily lit exclusively with gas lamps. As of this week, the arches and pillars of the bridge are once again illuminated, and the new lighting of the statues on the bridge promenade will also be activated by the end of the year, as the lighting intensity still needs to be individually adjusted. The project, which was implemented on schedule from 23 September to the end of November, cost a total of approximately CZK 6 million.
Tomáš Jílek, Chairman of the Board of THMP, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the work: “Thanks to the close cooperation with the city, monument conservators, and lighting experts, who supported us in the planning and implementation of this challenging project, we were able to complete the renovation on schedule. My special thanks also go to the climbers and divers who were deployed to work on the arches and icebreakers. Some of the lights could only be installed from the surface, while the cables were laid exclusively underwater. Now, the people of Prague and visitors can fully enjoy the beauty of the bridge, which will be presented by a stylishly dressed lighting master during the Advent season.”
In the coming weeks, the lighting intensity of the individual statues will be gradually adjusted, with final approval being granted by the City of Prague’s Department for the Protection of Monuments. Next year, a modern control unit will also be installed to enable remote control, monitoring, and fault detection. This will complete the comprehensive refurbishment of the lighting.
“Charles Bridge is an impressive, world-class monument. The refurbished lighting of the statues and arches of the bridge emphasises the Prague skyline even more dramatically,” explained Michal Hroza, Prague City Councillor for Infrastructure. “Modern light sources lower the failure rate of the luminaires, reduce maintenance costs and power consumption, offering considerable advantages.”
THMP is the operator and service partner for numerous technical installations in the Prague metropolitan region. The company’s main tasks include the maintenance of the public lighting network, the illumination of Prague’s monuments, and the installation of Christmas lights and trees. In addition, THMP is increasingly involved in the development of smart solutions, particularly in the areas of e-mobility and photovoltaics, and acts as a municipal energy trader. Other areas of responsibility include the city’s CCTV system, traffic lights, traffic and telematics systems, and the replacement of bus stop furniture.
