The Svojanov Castle will complete the restoration of the Gothic garden, which will be accessible next year

photo: https://pardubice.rozhlas.cz/

Svojanov - The Svojanov Castle in the Svitavy region will complete the restoration of the Gothic garden by autumn. Herbs and grapevines will grow there. Next year, it will become part of the tour circuit. This was stated by the castle keeper Pavla Štusáková Martínková to ČTK.

"We are halfway through the work; the landscaping is complete to allow for planting and further work to begin. The wooden arbors are finished, and work is underway on the wooden gazebo. The costs will be 3.5 million crowns, covered by the Pardubice Region and the owner, the town of Polička," said the castle keeper.

The garden restoration began this year. In the spring, a gardener planted medlar trees in the southern part of the castle area, which had already been growing there, but the trees were aged. Last week, he planted a vineyard and lavender. Work will continue on the herb beds and alpine plants. Furniture, a water feature, and new paths will also be installed.

"This is a complete restoration of the Gothic garden. The version from architect Otakar Kuča from the 1970s and 1980s was aged out," said the castle keeper.

At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, there was likely a garden at the castle. It had a utilitarian character, where herbs, possibly grapevines or fruit trees, were presumably cultivated. "It is not our ambition to make wine; it is more of a reminiscence of a vineyard," said Štusáková Martínková.

Written sources do not mention the garden at Svojanov, but it is preserved in period depictions. Medieval gardens in their original form have not survived in European monuments. Therefore, it is difficult to determine where useful gardens, which served for kitchen needs as well as for relaxation, were located.

The Gothic garden at Svojanov is on the southern slope and is divided into terraces. Upon completion, it will again be accessible on the guided tour of the castle grounds. It will be in full bloom in two to three years.

"It should be finished in November and publicly accessible next year. The garden will need several years for the newly planted plants to grow. The roses that are to climb on the wooden arbors will definitely need time," said the castle keeper.

Svojanov Castle was founded around 1224 as a royal wedding residence. Since 1910, it has been owned by the town of Polička. It is one of the most popular monuments in the Pardubice Region. Last year, 56,776 people visited Svojanov Castle, which is a ten percent decrease from the previous year.