Through the current project, we aim to continue our efforts to safeguard and restore the Transylvanian residence of Count Miklós Bánffy, i.e. Bánffy Castle, Bonțida, through finalising the restoration of the former carriage house and using it as an educational workshop, as well as through restoring the former stables and using the space as venue for various events. The restoration of the former carriage house and its subsequent use as an educational workshop will benefit pupils from schools in the area, as well as trade schools from Cluj-Napoca and university students from the whole of the Carpathian Basin. The workshops will provide an opportunity to learn, through practical training, traditional trades that are necessary for historic building conservation, these skills being in great demand in the Transylvanian labour market.

Our Foundation has more than 20 years of experience in organising educational programmes, as since 2001 the castle has acted as host for the Built Heritage Conservation Training Programme, which thus far has provided heritage training to more than 4500 students from 30 countries around the world. Its unique concept (participants contribute to the restoration of the castle, at the same time learning different heritage-related skills) received in 2008 the most prestigious prize in the field, the Europa Nostra Grand Prix. The programme consists of (yearly organised one or two) two-week training courses in traditional crafts, such as joinery and furniture restoration, carpentry, stonemasonry, masonry and mural decorations.

The current project will help us to create a permanent, well-equipped workshop where we can offer professional training to those interested throughout the year. In the 300 sqm workshop, students will be trained in furniture restoration and cabinetmaking with the help of professionals. In addition to traditional hand tools, which are over 100 years old, the workshop will provide students with the latest technologies to learn the practical skills of the trade, under the supervision of skilled craftspeople trained in Romania, Hungary and France. It is expected that the start of this training will launch newer developments, through opening other workshops in traditional building crafts and creative industries. They will be set up in the cour d’honneur as part of the project’s next step. Student accommodation may be provided at the castle, but daily commuting might also be a convenient solution.

At the same time, the restoration of the former stables and their use as events venue constitutes a priority for the castle’s revitalisation. The former stables have a usable area of approximately 550 sqm; their restoration and furnishing are also part of the project.

The project will lead to the creation of new training courses and tourism packages, as well as wider cooperation opportunities for new, future projects.