Renovation of a Renaissance fortified mansion in Mladějovice
Mladějovice mansion is a Renaissance-style fortified rural residence. Its history goes back to Medieval Ages, the foundations are in Gothic style. Later, it was partly rebuilt in Baroque style but it still keeps its Renaissance character, typical vault facades, sgraffiti-decorated and overall, it presents quite a valuable structure, given the fact it's located in the rural area. The mansion was abandoned in the 19th century and at the end of the 20th century, it was just about to collapse. However, a local initiative was founded in 2009 to salvage the structure that presents a distinctive feature of Mladějovice village. This community-driven initiative successfully took over the structure and started a renovation. The structure was roofed in 2013, with the renovation going on for the next several years, finishing in 2020. During that time, the mansion was completely renovated and in 2020, the main renovation was finished. The opening was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Some interior adaptations are underway to make room for many activities planned to take place in the mansion – music hall, recording studio, audio-visual centre, theatre workshop, ceramic workshop and art hall. Also, the exteriors are to be used as plain air painting space or open-air exhibitions.
Resources needed
The renovation of the mansion was financially demanding. Part of the project costs was covered from regional funding and Norway grants and Iceland-Liechtenstein Norway grants, amounting to over 880K €. The project was the only successful Norway grants application in South Bohemia at that time.
Evidence of success
The mansion has been carefully and sensitively renovated almost to its original state. However, the renovation wasn’t just to renovate the structure but to get it ready for further community use. And it has reached this goal with many events or gatherings already conducted and planned for years to come, including features still under development.
Difficulties encountered
Main challenges:
- setting up civic association formed by local residents
- funding
- specialists needed (masonry, woodwork...)
Potential for learning or transfer
The greatest potential can be seen in the community-driven approach which brings, apart from a lot of obstacles, additional benefits in a form of involvement of the local community in planning and carrying out the renovation activities, shaping the events to take place or future development.
Tags: Cultural heritage, Management
