Bratislava—Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution team in Bratislava is providing pro bono advice to non-profit organization Spoločnosť Jaromíra Krejcara (SJK) to protect a cultural heritage site: the former Machnáč spa house in Trenčianske Teplice, Slovakia. The building is one of the most important examples of functionalist architecture in Slovakia and a unique building of European significance.

The national cultural monument is in a state of disrepair after being neglected by its owners for almost 20 years. Dentons successfully represented the Slovak Ministry of Culture in petitioning the District Court in Trenčín to stop the owner from disposing of the property. The court complied with the request, and in November 2020, issued an interim measure prohibiting the owner from disposing of the property in any way. In an effort to prevent further damage to Machnáč, SJK decided to take care of this monument and take responsibility for its restoration. It approached the current owner several times in an effort to agree on the purchase of the building with the intention of its restoration, to no avail. Therefore, in the interest of protection, restoration and preservation of this piece of Slovak cultural heritage, on September 3, 2021, the SJK, represented by Dentons Counsel Miroslava Ješíková and Associate Ján Dulovič, filed a motion for expropriation of Machnáč with the District Office in Trenčín.

“The process can take several years. In usual cases of expropriation of land - for example for the construction of motorways - the authorities decide more or less as a formality. However, this assessment of the public interest in the case of expropriation of a monument cultural heritage of the Slovak Republic will be the first such case in our country.” commented Miroslava Ješíková. “I believe that the long-term efforts of Spoločnosť Jaromira Krejcara will be the most persuasive argument in this case.”

“The current owner has not taken any measures to prevent damage, destruction and theft of elements of the monument for a long time. As a result, this valuable national cultural monument is now in a catastrophic state.” commented Ján Dulovič. “We are proud to be able to help Spoločnosť Jaromira Krejcara with their rescue plan of the national heritage site”. 

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