Meštrović Pavilion restoration remains ongoing amid facade concerns

The Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media has addressed reports regarding stains appearing on the facade of the Meštrović Pavilion following the removal of scaffolding. The Ministry clarified that the restoration of the building, which serves as the home for the Croatian Association of Fine Artists (HDLU), is not yet complete. The site remains an active construction zone, and the contractor has not yet officially handed the object over to the investor.

The Ministry stated that the Croatian Restorer Institute is currently conducting a stone analysis to determine restoration guidelines for moisture penetration on a section of the walls. They noted that the complexity of the project involves addressing long-standing issues with water ingress, particularly through the historic dome.

Representatives from the contractor, Spegra, argued that it is premature to judge the quality of the work based on photographs taken before the final processing and official handover. The project involves a multidisciplinary team, including experts from the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Civil Engineering, conservators, and engineers.