Thanks to the gradual release of regulations, castles in the Trenčín Region, from 6 May 2020, reopened the gates for visitors from all over Slovakia. Of course, compliance with hygiene regulations, wearing towels and capacity restrictions of individual buildings. Visits are still without a guide explanation with slightly altered circuits.

In the first week of May, the castles welcomed the first visitors with veils on their mouths, disinfection in their hands and an offer to tour the new circuits without an accompanying word. Although the creation of cultural events is not currently possible even on the landmarks, the public took the opportunity of a family trip and in this way supported their favorite monuments in their activities.

Traffic is starting to rise

The castle in Bojnice welcomed everyone in a solemn spirit on the first day: “ We were dressed in period costumes and people could hear the people. Due to the current situation, we had to set the maximum number of people in the building at 60 at the very beginning, which was easily adhered to. The basic measures we have put in place include temperature measurement, the obligation to wear drapes, disinfection and keeping clearances. We changed the visitor circuit so that it would be interesting enough for the public even without a guide, but with an accompanying text either in printed or electronic form, ” explained Petra Gordíková , cultural and promotional manager of the communication and marketing department of Bojnice Castle.

Trenčín Castle also has a new unaccompanied circuit, which has decided to name it creatively after the current pandemic: “ We named the circuit Covid-19, within which the lower courtyard, barracks, famine, lapidary and Ľudovít Palace are open to the public. The highest accessible point of the castle, Matúš's Tower, is currently not available to the public. We also pay attention to hygiene standards, such as drapes or disinfection. The good news is that we have decided to extend all exhibitions at least until September. Since the opening, 689 visitors have come to us and we believe that this number will have an upward trend , ”explained Iveta Matejková , an employee of the marketing department of the Trenčín Museum.

The Čachtice Castle also received positive responses, with almost 2,000 visitors passing through its gate on the first day of opening. Hygienic preparation was not neglected here either, and disinfection, the obligation to wear drapes and two-meter distances were available at the entrance. " Until there is a further easing of measures, we do not offer guide services and operate in a modified mode. In the near future, however, we are preparing performances by falconers and expanding the exhibition of the torture chamber , ”clarified Katarína Orthová, the castellan of the Čachtice castle.

Although it is currently not possible for visitors to walk around the castle with a guide, they will not be deprived of the history of castles and ruins in the Trenčín Region thanks to audio recordings. "Back in 2019, as part of the project" Listen to history ", we placed tables with QR codes on the castles of Lednice, Beckov, Čachtice, Uhrovec, Bojnice Castle, Považský and Trenčín Castle, which acquaint visitors with the history and legends of the places . The visitor simply points his mobile phone at the QR code and listens to the audio recording directly from his mobile phone, ” said Eva Frývaldská , Executive Director of the Trenčín Region Regional Tourism Organization.

The public appreciated the creativity

The highest number of visitors so far after the reopening of the castle gates in the Trenčín region was probably achieved by Beckov Castle, which welcomed up to 2,166 history lovers during the weekend and the holiday season. They will not be able to create a special program for some time and, as in other castles, there are currently no guides in Beckov.

Nevertheless, they made sure that all visitors felt comfortable with them: “ In addition to the beautiful castle with a great atmosphere, which is completed by services such as buffet, souvenirs, great wine shop, caramel nuts or craftsman (tin casting), there is a complete exhibition medieval hygiene, bathing and food storage, reproductions of paintings by L. Mednyánszke, blacksmith records, but especially the new dragon Blundus at the castle well. We have temporarily replaced the guide word with a spoken word, which once an hour tells about the history of the castle together with two legends in the lower courtyard, ” recapled Peter Pastier, director of the Beckov Castle Association.

Although strict hygiene measures still apply, the public has no problem complying with them and is grateful for making the monuments in the Trenčín region accessible. Although attendance statistics will be severely disrupted after this year, the castles continue to plan rich accompanying activities or exhibitions that attract new enthusiasts.

Text: MT

Photo: SNM - Bojnice Museum, Beckov Castle - Daniel Košťál, Čachtice Castle - Jana Caposová, Trenčín Castle - Trenčín Museum

In Trenčín, 11.5.2020