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Similarly to 2020, the main topic in 2021 was covid-19 and the associated pandemic, which for a part of the year fundamentally affected the operation of the National Museum. This does not mean, however, that fundamental things were not done to increase visitor comfort, verify security procedures and maintain individual buildings.
In connection with the growing number of visitors, it was necessary to adjust and re-set some rules for movement and check-in of visitors in the National Museum building. For example, a new staircase was opened for visitors to make it easier to check-in in front of the dome of the Historic Building and to significantly facilitate the operation of elevators. Especially for the busiest visitor hours, which are traditionally during the weekends, especially on Saturday afternoons, a reconstruction and completion of additional individually serviceable wardrobes was done. Thanks to these, the museum manages to handle the large number of visitors not only at the entrances, but also in the locker rooms as well.
Part of the improvement and expansion of services is the project of a new café operation implemented this year. A brand new coffee shop located in the area between the newly opened exhibitions History and Windows to Prehistory. A café with a confectionery assortment supports the existing souvenir shop and appropriately complements the atmosphere of the entire area.
Two automatic cash registers, which were installed last year, are also closely related to the handling of visitors, and their operation has proved very useful to the museum. The machines are completed with touch screens and the possibility of contactless card payment. They have gained unprecedented popularity among the visitors and, especially during periods of increased visitor numbers, they are used almost as often as traditional ticket offices. Thanks to the growing popularity of these machines, we have worked this year to improve and, above all, simplify their operation, so as to minimize the necessary support and maintenance.
The safety of visitors, staff of the museum and the property is one of the most important tasks. Improving the security situation is a constant focal point of the National Museum's management, but nowadays it is taking on new dimensions. A tactical exercise is organised at irregular intervals to check the readiness of all potentially involved units and all control documents relating to security procedures.
On the 21st of October 2021, a mock exercise took place in the New Building of the National Museum with all the necessary units of the Integrated Rescue System (hereinafter referred to as IRS) with the name - Opening of the IRS exhibition through the eyes of children. The exercise was attended by 253 IRS members and 301 extras. The mock exercise focused on a terrorist attack with National Museum as the target.
The purpose of this exercise was to test all the components of the IZS (Police of the Czech Republic, Fire Brigade, Rescue Service of several regions), crisis management of the City of Prague and the National Museum and their interaction. The inspection revealed that the IRS units were able to intervene quickly and professionally on the basis of the submitted documents of the National Museum (e.g. evacuation guidelines, building plan).
The intervention was divided into two groups. The first group intervened at the service entrance, where the security guards were (fake-) incapacitated while a hostage was taken in the visiting room. Close coordination on the part of the National Museum was important during the intervention of the special police unit. In this way, the police were able to quickly orient themselves in the building and carry out a successful neutralization of the terrorists.
The main goal of the terrorists was to occupy the lecture hall in the New Building of the National Museum, where the opening of the aforementioned exhibition took place with the imaginary participation of the Czech Prime Minister and ambassadors of other countries. Here the terrorists held 230 hostages (guests of the opening). In the case of occupation of the lecture hall, the terms of the hostage release were negotiated. The police negotiator talked with the terrorists for over three hours. At the end of the negotiations, the intervention unit stormed the lecture hall and neutralized the terrorists.
Another key point of the exercise was the inspection of the 37 ambulances and crew, which was tasked with treating the wounded and transporting them to the hospital. The wounded were taken to the Vinohrady Hospital and the General University Hospital in Prague. The transport and treatment of the injured in the hospital lasted from 11 pm to 4.30 am
The final report issued by the Police of the Czech Republic said that the National Museum has everything properly prepared in the case of emergency management. The long-term cooperation with all of the IRS units has thus been of excellent use to the National Museum.
The fountain is one of the most dominant elements of the facade of the Historical Building of the National Museum. The overall revitalization of the National Museum's fountain consisted of repairing its own body and exchange of the falling water in the fountain. In agreement with the construction contractor, the management of the National Museum and representatives of the conservationists, dynamic colour lighting of the outdoor area of the fountain was designed and subsequently implemented.
Lighting systems in the total number of 37 pieces are always located behind the falling water (from the point of view of the viewer) on special concrete blocks. The RGBW multichip underwater lights with a total output of 58 VA per one light are individually addressable and allow a large number of light possibilities. With the help of the control system it is possible to realize dynamic colour effects. Of course, through the adaptive timeline software, the entire system allows the design of light and sound programs with possible retrofitting of the acoustic chain.
There are now two pre-set lighting options, white lighting or tricolour, i.e. blue-white-red. The programming of other variants can be ordered from the service company, Artechnic. Essentially every colour scale imaginable can be programmed. For example, colour music, i.e. a light show in the fountain to the music of Bedřich Smetana’s Vltava. In such a case, we would also add audio equipment, however, the installed lighting equipment would be able to handle such a requirement.
The National Museum operates several dozen buildings not only in Prague, but also outside of it. Some of these objects are accessible to the public, such as the Museum Complex on Wenceslas Square, the Czech Museum of Music, the Náprstek Museum and many others, while some are inaccessible by the general public, such as the depository complex in Horní Počernice and 2 large depositories in Terezín. Despite the complex and demanding situation regarding the covid-19 pandemic, the vast majority of facilities managed to achieve considerable success in their maintenance, operation and in increase of their attractiveness to the visitors and educational programmes. Often these facilities represent a large area that requires considerable effort to maintain their operability and historical heritage.
For example, the central balcony and side terraces, and the railings, stone floors and waterproofing of the Kinský Letohrádek were restored under the supervision of conservationists. This renovation has created a space where visitors can see unique views of the Kinský Garden and parts of Prague during selected events.
Furthermore, the project documentation was completed, including restoration inspections and plans to repair the facade of the building and its stone elements. To increase the attractiveness of the visitor traffic and educational programmes, a movable large-format LCD screen was purchased and the kiln for firing ceramic products was repaired.
Due to the state of emergency, the Lapidary building of the National Museum had to be closed in 2021, and the owner of the building is currently preparing a complete overhaul of the building in cooperation with the professional departments of the National Museum.
