Our project, supported by the Bethlen Gábor Fund, Hungary, focused on restoring the former carriage house – at the time the only uncovered and therefore severely deteriorated part of Bánffy Castle in Bonțida – and transforming it into an educational workshop.

The complete structural reinforcement of the carriage house posed a major challenge, as it had stood uncovered for most of the past 70 years. Its walls were damaged, and its vaults and arches had collapsed.

 

In addition to strengthening and, in some cases, rebuilding the walls, new doors and windows were installed, and essential utility systems were put in place, including electrical wiring, water and gas installations and a heating system.

The educational workshop planned inside the carriage house was also fully equipped. Thanks to the support received, we not only saved the building from collapse but also created an opportunity for young people in the region to learn traditional joinery and furniture restoration.

These crafts are in high demand on the Transylvanian labour market, yet currently there is no training available in the field. As a result of the project, the training programmes launched will not only aid the professional development of skilled workers but also significantly contribute to improving the quality of built heritage conservation in Transylvania.

 

Project background

Transylvania Trust has been providing training in traditional building crafts at Bánffy Castle in Bonțida since 2001. University students and skilled workers learn the methodology of historic building conservation, archaeologists and art historians take part in practical training, and we also provide training in stone carving, carpentry, masonry, vault restoration, traditional joinery etc. To date, our training programmes have had over 3300 participants from 32 countries worldwide. In 2008, the Foundation was awarded the Europa Nostra prize for training through conservation and conservation through training, a principle promoted by the Foundation in its educational programmes. Thanks to the teaching of traditional building crafts, essential for built heritage conservation, the former kitchen building was renovated completely, currently housing the accommodation, kitchen and dining hall of the educational centre in the castle, as well as the cultural café. We also managed to renovate around 60% of the Miklós building, which houses the conference room of the educational centre and teachers’ accommodation. We were also able to cover the main building and, also thanks to a grant from the Bethlen Gábor Fund, we have finished the structural reinforcement and securing of the main building and started the complete renovation of the western wing. As a result, after 70 years, the main building finally has windows, and we have also created, in the western wing, an exhibition titled Miklós Bánffy’s Force Fields dedicated to the life and work of Count Miklós Bánffy, the last inhabitant of the castle.

Sponsor: Bethlen Gábor Fund, Hungary