In the vicinity of Pernštejn Castle, the restoration of the garden will begin

Nedvědice - The restoration of the historical garden around Pernštejn Castle in the Brno region will begin this year with the felling of trees that are in an emergency state. The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) officially signed a contract today at the castle with Garden line s.r.o., which won the tender for the garden restoration. The price is 102 million crowns including VAT, NPÚ representatives informed ČTK. The project is primarily funded by EU funds.

The price for the work includes the comprehensive restoration of the gardens, including construction and restoration work, landscaping, tree felling, and planting. Everything is to be completed by September 2020. "Work will begin before the end of this year and, according to the schedule, will start with the felling of emergency trees on the southern slope below the castle where the garden is located," said Klára Zábojníková from NPÚ.

The princely ornamental garden at Pernštejn is an architectural complex of a medieval castle, first supplemented in the Baroque period and later at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries with a series of gardens. According to heritage experts, it has no comparison in the Czech Republic. With the contribution of European money, the area will return to its peak form from 200 years ago when it was among the fifteen most significant gardens in Moravia and Silesia.

"Although Pernštejn is one of the best-preserved monuments in our country, its potential hidden in the adjacent park and gardens has been neglected for decades. The project starting today offers a chance to pass on this part of our cultural heritage to future generations in a better condition than we received it," stated Culture Minister Daniel Herman (KDU-ČSL).

Last year, more than 114,000 people visited Pernštejn Castle. The restoration and opening of the princely garden will return the castle, which was declared a national cultural monument in 1995 along with the garden, its complexity but also its visitor appeal. In conjunction with the new parking lot and educational trails built by the town of Nedvědice, a new view of the castle will be opened to visitors. It will emphasize the monumentality of the castle fortress in contrast to the subtle character of the garden under its walls.

"The project is a unique opportunity to restore the artistic value of this historical site and bring garden culture, which is part of our cultural heritage, closer to the public. The garden, located on the southwestern slope of the steep castle hill and in the floodplain below it, is relatively small in scale, but its concept, content, and location are truly exceptional and have a chance to attract new visitors, for whom higher quality services and facilities will await," said Naďa Goryczková, the director general of the National Heritage Institute.

The appearance of the garden at the height of its glory is detailed in an inventory from 1806, which captures not only the individual garden architectures and utility buildings but also their furnishings, the condition of fruit and exotic trees, and flowering plants. "The most commonly cultivated tree was the pear tree, and the pear, the fruit of kings, will become the symbol of the restored garden," Goryczková added.