“Transylvanian Versailles” castle under ongoing reconstruction, Hungary’s President visits – PHOTOS
The historic buildings of Bánffy Castle in Bonchida (Bonţida) are currently undergoing an extensive renovation. Yesterday, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok paid a visit to the castle. This remarkable estate, which barely survived both the Second World War and the subsequent communist era, is being lovingly restored and brought back to life by the Transylvania Trust.
“Transylvanian Versailles” castle undergoes massive renovation
According to their website, the castle “is a symbol of rebirth, of Transylvanianism, a home for contemporary culture, but also for traditional crafts. The historic building, which barely survived the Second World War and communism, is restored and brought back to life by the Transylvania Trust. The income from the visits will be used for the restoration of this architectural ensemble”.
Transylvania Trust regularly invites participants to join a hands-on learning experience focused on traditional building crafts and the conservation of historic buildings. This exciting event is held every August, offering a unique opportunity to develop practical skills while preserving heritage.
The start of such practical trainings was 2001 and they aim “to address, on the one hand, the lack of craftsmen and professionals in the field of historic building conservation, and, on the other hand, to promote the preservation and transmission of traditional building crafts to young people. So far, the castle has welcomed more than 3000 participants from Romania and abroad.”
Hungarian President Sulyok on Transylvania visit
President Tamas Sulyok visited the villages of Bonțida (Bonchida) and Rascruci (Válaszút), and the city of Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) on Sunday, the first day of a private visit to Romania’s Transylvania region.
Sulyok began his visit at the Bánffy Castle in Bonțida, which has been under the care of the Transylvania Trust Foundation since 2001. The president and those accompanying him were given a tour of the castle by Csilla Hegedűs, the president of the foundation, and her colleagues, and were briefed on the efforts made so far as well as future plans to renovate and restore the castle.
The 16th century castle, which was set on fire by retreating German troops during the second world war, is being restored with the support of the Hungarian government. The Transylvania Trust Foundation provides vocational training for university students in traditional construction techniques, who are also assisting in the castle’s renovation.
Preserving trades and experience
Sulyok said central and eastern Europe had a strong interest in preserving these trades and hundreds of years of experience. Hegedűs said the reconstruction works have so far cost 4.5 million-5 million euros, and another 8 million euros would be needed for their completion. The president said the long-term project in Bonțida was “not only about renovating something, but also about making it work”.
In Rascruci (Válaszút), Sulyok was shown the ethnographic collection left behind by renowned Hungarian ethnographer Zoltán Kallós.
President Sulyok visits Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca)
President Tamás Sulyok on Monday visited Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvar) as part of a three-day private visit to Romania. The president’s visit included viewing an exhibition of the paintings of 19th century Hungarian painter Miklos Barabas and visiting the historic parish church of Cluj-Manastur on the outskirts of the city.
Sulyok also attended a meeting of volunteers organising the 16th Kolozsvar Hungarian Days. The president is scheduled to address the opening gala of the cultural festival on Monday evening. On Sunday, the first day of his programme in Romania, the Hungarian president visited the villages of Bontida (Bonchida) and Rascruci (Válaszút) in the Cluj area.
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