The Nová Horka Castle will open to visitors for the very first time on September 28

Studénka (Novojičínsko) - For the first time in its history, visitors will be able to see the Nová Horka castle in Studénka, in the Novojičín region, on September 28. People will see, among other things, an exhibition of historical photographs of the castle and will be able to view the areas that the Museum of Novojičínsko intends to reconstruct and permanently make accessible in the future - such as the salu terrena, a beautiful hall with Baroque frescoes, and the chapel. This was stated by Radek Polách, the museum's director's representative.

This year, the museum took over management of the castle after a social care institution moved out. "We are considering a comprehensive revitalization of the entire estate so that it can serve in the future as one of three museum castles in such a connection, namely the Žerotín Castle in Nový Jičín, the castle in Kunín, and the Nová Horka castle," Polách stated.

The museum has prepared a project for the first phase of reconstruction for 30 million crowns and is now awaiting approval of funding. In the first phase, the facades are to be repaired and the ground floor will be prepared for public access. If the funding is approved, the work is expected to begin around the middle of next year. The project also includes the establishment of new exhibitions dedicated to the history of the castle or natural history and the opening of the castle chapel to the public.

"As part of the funding, beautiful pieces of furniture related to Nová Horka castle will also be restored, and new historical shelves will be produced for displaying the original castle library, which is currently owned by the National Museum and is awaiting relocation within the castle in Nový Jičín," Polách said.

The library, which contains 3,000 volumes, includes a section dedicated to alchemy. This subject was of interest to members of the noble Vetter von der Lilie family, who lived in Nová Horka from the 17th century practically until 1945. "Alchemy was practiced in the second half of the 18th century. There are several alchemical sites in the Novojičín region," Polách added.

The overall reconstruction of the castle may take several decades. "The castle is quite large and will require additional financial resources for making the entire first floor accessible, returning original furnishings, an art gallery, furniture, and other matters. The entire heritage site also includes a beautiful English park and a Baroque parterre," said Polách.

Jaroslav Zezulčík, the curator of the nearby castle in Kunín, which he managed to transform from a ruin into one of the most beautiful castles in the region, will also participate in the renovations of the Nová Horka castle. "The exhibition will also touch on the musical life at the castle - the castle band performed here, as did Jiří Janáček, the grandfather of the famous composer Leoš Janáček. Ethnographic collections from the area of the former Kravařsko will also be included. It is known that the owners of the castle dealt with this topic," Zezulčík stated.

The program in Nová Horka will start on September 28 at 09:00, and it will include a mini-market, an exhibition of drawings of castles in Kravařsko from the early 19th century by František Kledenský, or a lecture. There will also be a special program prepared in Kunín for September 28 - the popular celebrations "Roses for the Countess" will begin there.