Prague Castle to receive 215 million crowns from state budget to cover tourism losses

Prague, Sept 7 (CTK) – The Czech government has decided that the Prague Castle Administration will get 215 million crowns from the state budget reserve to compensate for loss in income from tourism and lower interest in organizing social events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Financing for the care of Prague Castle and Lany Chateau, including related running costs, are threatened by the income loss, the government writes on its website.

The Presidential Office’s budget will therefore increase from the current 419 million crowns to 634 million crowns this year, as Prague Castle Administration is a part of the Presidential Office.

Prague Castle is the seat of Czech presidents. The Presidential Office is seated only in a part of the castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral and the Castle palaces and courtyards are traditionally some of Prague’s most popular locations among tourists.

Some of the Castle palaces house art galleries. The Lany Chateau is a presidential residence near Prague.

Presidential Office head Vratislav Mynář said more than 90 percent of the additional funds would be used primarily for investments.

The Finance Ministry concluded that the Presidential Office was unable to cover the deficit in its revenues from its current budget.

It writes that the Office has reduced its own operation costs, but that the costs related to sanitary measures taken because of the COVID-19 infection have increased.