Description
The project aims to protect and preserve Czech cultural heritage by the reconstruction of Svijany castle with its adjacent area and the building of the "old school". The castle is heavily deteriorated, some parts are in disrepair, threatening further existence of the entire castle. Since the castle is located in the unique site with Bronze Age discoveries, the optimal environment for museum collections „Archaeological Finds from the Bronze Age“ and the „Castle´s History since Renaissance“ will be created in the renovated castle and opened to the public. Thanks to the project the Svijany castle with its exhibits will serve mostly to families with children, tourists and students as a cultural, educational, historical and information centre. The donor project partner - Institute of Archaeology (Iceland) - for more than 20 years focuses on archaeological research and educational activities. In case of discoveries during the reconstruction works, the partner provides experience with the preservation. The partner also cooperates on creation of optimal environment for exhibition objects and preparing and installation of the archaeological workshop for children.
Summary of project results
The unequivocal benefit of the project realization is preservation of a decaying, gradually disappearing monument. The restoration of the castle thus contributed to the preservation of the valuable cultural heritage. The reconstructed Svijany castle once again became the dominant feature of the village and adjacent surroundings. From the devastated castle, which no one noticed, a cultural, educational, historical, archaeological, leisure and information center was created for the general public, especially for the target groups: families with children, individual tourists, seniors, students and pupils, handicapped, interested in history, archeology and culture and minority groups. The Roma exhibition “Beautiful times” encourages not only the interest of Roma people in their own traditions, but also extends the awareness of Roma culture to all visitors. Moreover, the realization of the project enabled revival and publication of unique findings from the Bronze Age, for which there had not been a suitable place to exhibit. The implemented project fully fulfilled the expected result of the Program area: "Preservation and revitalization and protection of the cultural heritage and its accessibility to the public". Construction works and overall renovation were done properly and in very good quality, which is a prerequisite for ensuring long-term sustainability of project results. At the same time, experienced management team ensures smooth project operational phase so that the castle remains attractive to the public. Thanks to the project implementation new jobs have been created, which increases the social and economic aspect of sustainable development.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation was established with the Icelandic partner, the Institute of Archaeology, in particular with archaeologist Adolf Fridriksson, who held an active dialogue with the project promoter during the whole project implementation period. The objective of the partnership was cooperation and mutual exchange of knowledge in the field of archaeology and its presentation to the public. Active communication was supported by the Islandic partner´s personal visit of the Svijany castle financed by the project promoter and by one initiative including study visits to Czech Republic and Iceland financed from bilateral fund. Icelandic partner advised the project promoter on methods of presetting of archaeological findings in the newly created exhibition and shared experience in related to creation of interactive parts of exhibition. A photo exhibition of the Islandic partner, its projects and Iceland was created. This exhibition is located in the Svijany castle and opens to the public along with the opening of the castle and a visitor’s center.