Description
The aim of the project is to complete reconstruction of the west wing of the baroque castle Koleč and to open a museum dedicated to beekeeping, activity which has rich tradition in the surrounding area. The castle is situated in the municipality of Koleč, located in a tourist region in the western part of Central Bohemia. The Koleč castle was built between 1711-1713 on the site of an original farmhouse and Renaissance fortress and is currently in a state of complete disrepair. The Koleč castle is a multi-storey structure with the wings of the castle, which together with the chapel, form a rectangular courtyard. Apart from the castle and its chapel, the site also consists of the remnants of a stone statue of Saint Anne with the Virgin Mary, a courtyard, garden and baroque granary. The project involves the reconstruction of the west wing of the castle covering all the construction works. Following the construction works, the castle interior will be furbished and the beekeeping museum exhibition will be created inside the castle. Exhibition will consist of a classic display presenting t visitors traditional procedures of honey making from a contemporary and historic perspective. An interesting feature of the exhibition will be a 3D cinema, which will especially appeal to children. The final part of the exhibition will be a display of beekeeping traditions in Norway. This display will be prepared in cooperation with the project partner – Norwegian Beekeepers. The project will be beneficial mostly for tourists, local residents and the municipality Koleč itself. Thanks to the project the castle will be back in operation and will be opened to public with newly reconstructed museum dedicated to traditional Czech and Norwegian activity.
Summary of project results
The project focused on the complete reconstruction of the west wing of the castle and the establishment of a beekeeping museum. Prior the reconstruction, the castle was in extremely bad conditions and state of disrepair. Castle ruins have been reconstructed to their former glory, so that the building can serve as the museum of beekeeping. It features the history of beekeeping, which has had a long tradition in Koleč area. Collections of historical beekeeping equipment and bee-related items are displayed and one can learn about beekeeping development from ancient times until today. The displays include illustrations presenting beekeeping from a Norwegian perspective. Moreover, 3D film offering visitors a vision of bee life cycle enhances the visual experience at the exhibition. The reconstructed west wing of the castle has been opened to the public and shall become a cultural and social centre of the municipality. The Project Promoter, Koleč Endowment Fund, strives to fully restore the castle and its surroundings. In order to raise funds for the complete restoration, charitable events are organized in cooperation with other entities, e.g. the Czech Beekeepers Association, and held yearly in the castle grounds, including the popular Honey Fair. In longer term perspective, the project result - in the form of a new tourism product - is aiming for increasing the museum attendance, including higher numbers of both returning visitors and new visitors, increasing the annual amount of visitors to the municipality and the region in general and enhancing social activities in the area. Thanks to the multiplying effect of the project, municipal and regional development has been supported and thus the longer-term goal of reducing social and economic disparities will be achieved.
Summary of bilateral results
Bilateral cooperation with the Norwegian Beekeepers Association Norges Birøkterlag was established within the project and formalized through the formal partnership. The Donor State project partner participated in the museum exhibition preparation and created banners presenting beekeeping in Norway throughout the year, including quantified comparison of Czech and Norwegian beekeeping outputs. The collaboration involved exchange of knowledge and experience resulting in benefits of informing both the general and professional public in the Czech Republic with beekeeping specifics in Norway thought the permanent exhibition in the reconstructed part of the castle. Formal cooperation with the Donor partner does not continue after the project was completed.