The restoration of the Pernštejn gardens will probably start this autumn

Pernštejn - The significant restoration of the historic gardens at Pernštejn Castle near Nedvědice in the Brno region will likely begin in November with the felling of approximately five hundred trees. The extensive area is situated on a slope and has been deteriorating since the 19th century, said Eva Škrabalová, assistant to the castle keeper.

The start date of the reconstruction depends on the selection of the contractor. If everything goes as planned, the tree felling will begin this autumn. "This is a major undertaking for us. Of the recorded 582 trees, it is expected that about 500 will be removed. This must be completed from November to the end of March," Škrabalová stated.

Everything therefore depends on whether the contractor selection processes are completed on time. After the tree felling, construction work related to the restoration of minor structures in the park can begin, and engineering networks must also be established. Previously, the park was connected to a mill stream that no longer exists. All paths and staircases will be restored. This will likely be disrupted by the extensive tree felling, but heritage conservationists will create precise documentation. In the end, there will not be new paving but rather gravel pathways that led through the garden in the 19th century.

The completion date for the restoration of the gardens is planned for the end of 2020. The following season will already feature the renewed park. According to Škrabalová, there will be no restrictions on visitor access to the castle during the construction. This is due to the location of the garden, which is situated away from the usual access routes. The restoration of the garden will cost over 100 million due to a European grant from the Integrated Regional Operational Program (IROP).

Pernštejn is among the jewels of Gothic castles. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle was complemented by a unique baroque garden on the slope below the castle, but the nobility later could not afford its maintenance. The Pernštejn estate garden began to deteriorate in the 19th century. Its maintenance was already quite expensive at that time. After 1945, the entire area was nationalized. In the following decades, the garden completely fell into disrepair, among other things because it was not part of the accessible areas of the estate.

The paths and trails traversing the garden, for example, are in need of reconstruction. It is adorned with the Chinese pavilion, an Obelisk, gazebos, baths, and a pond. The project includes the reconstruction of water distribution systems for pools and a fountain. A separate element that needs to be structurally secured is the so-called Countess's garden above the landscape park and two gazebos.

Pernštejn is one of the oldest and most visited castles in Moravia. Last year, it was visited by 84,000 people. Škrabalová expects that this year's attendance will be roughly the same.