Finalisation of maintenance works on the chapel – mausoleum of Trakų Vokė Manor and its adaptation to public needs

Project facts

Project promoter:
Lentvaris Parish of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Project Number:
LT06-0002
Target groups
Students and trainees in all forms of higher education level education and training
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€254,809
Final project cost:
€253,030
From EEA Grants:
€ 193,318
The project is carried out in:
Vilniaus apskritis

Description

This project aims to stimulate economic development in the area through (cultural) tourism by preserving the building of Traku Voke estate’s chapel-mausoleum. This is enlisted in the cultural heritage registry and the mending and renewing of the details and elements of the building are crucial for its preservation. The condition of the building is poor, plaster is cracked, wall paintings are damaged, there is no moisture collection system and water is gathering in the basement (mausoleum). During the project it is planned to install pavement, a channeled rainfall drainage system, restore damaged wall paintings, restore facade, ceiling, walls, sculptures, and organ and perform other planned activities that will contribute to preserving the authenticity of the chapel. Restoration of the chapel is a challenging and interesting job, therefore specialists of the field, students, owners of cultural heritage objects and wider public will be invited to participate in a 3-day long theory and practical training about cultural heritage preservation, renovation and restoration. This will contribute to the skills development on the job and offer new perspectives to those trained. The donor project partner - Dør og Vindusvern AS (Norway) - provides expertise in cultural heritage restoration and cooperates in training.

Summary of project results

The Chapel – mausoleum belongs to Trakų Vokė Manor, which before the war was managed by the Tiškevičiai family, who played a significant role in the history of Lithuania; due to this the building is an important historical and cultural heritage, reflecting the characteristics of the family. In Soviet times, the chapel building was used for storage of mineral fertilizers because Trakų Vokė’s manor buildings were used as a branch of the Lithuanian Agricultural Institute, later – viewing room. Due to the leaks in the building of that time, moisture and other reasons, part of the wall paintings were chipped, other decorations were damaged, most of valuable items and artifacts were lost or stolen. The condition of the building was quite poor: cracked plaster and damaged wall paintings, the water drainage system of the building was out of order and therefore the basement (mausoleum), where the remains of the Tiškevičiai family representatives are kept, contained water. During implementation of the project, Trakų Vokė’s chapel – mausoleum was renovated, equipted with some necessary furniture, sound system and adapted to the needs of the public, and just as before St. Mass is being held in it on Sundays, district residents and visitors are able to gather there, weddings, baptisms, the first communion and funeral services is possible to hold there as well. During the visiting hours the premises of Chapel – mausoleum is freely accessible to local residents and visitors. Also, trainings on cultural heritage topic were organized for community members, students and representatives of society, where representatives of project partner from Norway participated and presented various technics.

Summary of bilateral results

Project partner participated in organization and implementation of trainings to members of community, students and representatives of society. Theoretical and practical trainings were organized where representatives of partner organization presented various restoration technics and other relevant information. Also, partner visited renovated Chapel – mausoleum after all works.