THE CASTLE in Vígľaš, a village in central Slovakia, will survive to witness its own reconstruction – despite a few shaky moments in recent years. The new owner of its ruins, the Zámok Vígľaš company, has received €6 million for its reconstruction from European Union (EU) funds, Pavol Výboh, the village’s mayor, told the TASR newswire on May 12.
“The company should sign the contract at the Economy Ministry as early as this month,” said Výboh.
Since money to be allocated from EU funds makes up only half of the costs of the reconstruction, the company also has to demonstrate that it has at its disposal the other half of the amount needed.
“I know the company has the money,” Výboh said, adding that the proposed work on the castle ruins has already received a construction permit.
After reconstruction, the castle should contain a restaurant and exhibition premises. Its accommodation capacity will be 78 people.
After years of unsuccessfully offering the castle for sale, the village sold it to the Bratislava-based company for a symbolic one crown (€0.03) in 2007. The new owner promised to start reconstruction of the edifice within three years and invest at least €3.34 million in it within 10 years.
Vígľaš Castle dates back to the 14th century, but has been a roofless ruin since 1945, when it was partly demolished during the military campaigns of that year. Thanks to previous EU funding, the village managed to reconstruct the entrance bastion and part of the castle’s fortifications. During the last few years the castle has hosted a number of open-air festivals and arts events.
