From April 2021, several popular facilities in the Trenčín Region became available again, including castles, museums, galleries and the popular and visited Bojnice Castle. This, subject to all current measures, can be completed by all visitors at their own pace and choose one of the two offered circuits. The new season also brought news, which was introduced to us in more detail in the interview by the cultural and promotional manager of the museum located in Bojnice Castle Petra Gordíková.

1. At the beginning, you can summarize all the important and most frequently asked information in connection with the tours of Bojnice Castle in this period.

The museum reopened the gates of Bojnice Castle to the public again on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Entrances to the tour route are regulated by currently valid anti-pandemic measures. At the moment, the tours are still without a lecturer's explanation. Visitors go through the exhibition individually with the help of accompanying texts. This fact is especially welcomed by visitors who want to see the castle premises at their own pace. Often, especially during the working week, they go through it almost completely without other visitors. Interesting, even fascinating, is the unique silence that now reigns on the sightseeing routes. A tour of the castle during this period can be a truly cultural experience in a mysterious intimate atmosphere.

Due to the limited number of visitors, guests have an ideal opportunity to learn about the castle a lot of interesting information. On the tour of the chateau, there are museum staff who not only help visitors orient themselves in the area of the large chateau, but are also ready to answer the questions of visitors in a well-founded manner. Entrances to the exhibition are regulated so that visitors do not meet too much. No prior reservation is required before entering the tour.

2. What sightseeing tours do you offer? Are there any news there?

After the reopening, the museum opened both sightseeing tours of Bojnice Castle. In each of them, visitors can find something new and interesting. The gallery circuit has long been enriched with touch monitors, through which visitors can, so to speak, touch on history.

After the reopening of the museum, the chateau circuit was supplemented by an interactive presentation called Zámok yesterday and today. Based on a comparison of old photographs of the chateau and current panoramic shots, the presentation provides an insight into how Bojnice Castle and its surroundings have changed over the years. It's actually such a view of Bojnice in the mirror of time.

3. What events do you plan to hold this year and what can you say now that they will not be, but are they more traditional?

Due to the current restrictions, the museum had to cancel the traditional June event Fairytale Castle, which has been very popular with children for many years. A possible alternative date for this event is still under negotiation.

The management of the museum believes that despite the applicable restrictions, visitors to the castle will be able to enjoy at least smaller events. Already on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, together with children's visitors, we will celebrate the International Children's Day as if from a fairy tale.

4. What changes have taken place during the time that Bojnice Castle was closed?

Despite the fact that Bojnice Castle was closed to the public, life in it continued. Among other things, the employees devoted themselves to scientific research, restoration of collection items or preparation of a multimedia presentation of the Castle Yesterday and Today. During the pandemic, an interesting audio recording of the old castle legend was created in cooperation with Mrs. Lucia Vráblicová . bojnicecastle.sk . Much of the communication with visitors was redirected to social networks, on a regular basis we prepared interesting quizzes, contributions and interviews for museum fans.

5. Have reconstructions taken place or are you planning to reconstruct Bojnice Castle in the near future?

A short time ago, the museum completed the reconstruction of the western wing of Bojnice Castle, where a new exhibition of weapons and armor will gradually be created. Reconstruction work is currently underway on the terrace of the Central Castle, where an extension of the tour route is being prepared. The connecting wing between the chapel and the Huňady Hall, in which dehumidification work is currently underway, will also be reconstructed.

6. Do you currently allow the organization of wedding ceremonies, banquets or other celebrations? If not, when do you expect these services to be available again?

At Bojnice Castle, wedding ceremonies take place in the romantic Golden Hall under a beautiful angel ceiling. In the case of compliance with currently valid decrees and measures, it is possible to hold weddings at this moment as well. Wedding feasts were organized in the past mainly in the Huňady hall. In the meantime, it was enriched with valuable and interesting paintings and was incorporated together with the surrounding rooms into the Gallery Tour. The place, which in the past served mainly for cultural and social meetings, is today a place for encounters with art.

7. What would you like to pass on to potential visitors to Bojnice Castle?

I cordially invite visitors to Bojnice Castle and I look forward to personal meetings. Tours of the castle allow visitors to see a number of beautiful and fascinating spaces. The sightseeing tours also include the chateau chapel, the former ministerial apartment, the family tomb and the natural travertine cave located directly below the romantic chateau. Bojnice Castle is simply a wonderful place where you can experience the magic of the past at every step.

In Trenčín 28.5.2021

Text: MT