Good practice:

The neoclassical Gheorghe Pleșa Palace in Obîrșia de Câmp

The neoclassical Gheorghe Pleşa Palace is located in the village of Obârşia de Câmp, around 65 km from the county seat, Drobeta-TurnuSeverin.The building appears to have been constructed at the end of the 19th century in a French architectural style. According to information from local people, the building was inhabited sporadically and the owner spent most of the year in Paris. It seems that in 1948, the palace was donated to the residents of Obârşia. Political regime change at the end of World War II had detrimental consequences for the palace as the estate was nationalised and the building transformed into the headquarters for the local Agricultural Machinery Station.
For almost two decades following 1989, the status of the building was unclear.
In 2013, followingan expert evaluation, the municipal council decided to assign the palace to a local resident, for 25 years to restore the building to its original condition within a maximum of three years and maintain it as a tourist destination As well as renovating the palace, the plan also encompassed the creation of a golf course and leisure activities for tourists (carriage rides, sport fishing, etc.). Unfortunately, the initiative did not come to fruition and the palace remains in ruins.
The successive owners during this period did not use the building properly, causing severe damage. Finally, in 2018, ownership of Gheorghe Pleșa Palace was transferred from Obârşia de Câmp Municipal Council to Mehedinti County Council.

€5,000,000

The successive owners during this period did not use the building properly, causing severe damage. Finally, in 2018, ownership of Gheorghe Pleșa Palace was transferred from Obârşia de Câmp Municipal Council to Mehedinti County Council.
The first step taken by Mehedinti County Council was to take emergency measures to repair the roof, which had holes allowing rain and snow to enter,to put a stop tothe ongoing degradation of the building.

The challenge facing Mehedinti County Council is to rehabilitate the building and use it as a cultural centre. The different parts of the building will be designed to be flexible, allowing permanent, temporary or seasonal cultural and educational activities to be held: exhibitions, creative camps.

This practice shows how to evaluate the social and economic importance of heritage assets for local communities and highlights the unforeseen challenges caused by a lack of clear ownership.
Despite being owned by the Ministry of Culture, the historical monument was ignored for many years. In 2007-2008, the property came under the ownership of the local authority, which tried to lease it on two separate occasions so that it could be restored and used. Unfortunately, the activities of the concessionaires had a destructive impact on the palace.. The contracts were terminated, leaving a mutilated historical monument behind: the fireplaces had been demolished, the thermal power plant and radiators had disappeared, the mirrors had gone, most of the murals covering the interior had been deliberately destroyed and the original roof covering had been removed and replaced with a poor-quality material that gradually peeled off.