KÁLNOKY CASTLE

Towering mountains, unending forests, fortified citadels and churches, noble mansions, and villages with a traditional flavour. All of these are included in a trip to Transylvania. How much do we really know, about this enchanting region of Romania? In recent years, more and more revitalization projects bring noble homes to the spotlight, which can be used to organized family events as well as for tourism .
Only 40 kilometers from Brasov, an entire estate has recently come back to life. The story of the estate, especially of the castle here, begins in the 17th century, when in the year 1648, Kálnoky István III noted in his journal the construction of some stone houses in Micloșoara. The house is passed down, from descendent to descendent, up until count Dénes Kálnoky, a royal judge in the final years of his life. It’s main function was that of a hunting lodge, but during the communist era, the lodge was nationalized and modified to function as a cultural house. Abandoned by the authorities, the lodge would continue to fall apart, quickly arriving at a deplorable state.

As luck would have it, after the revolution, count Tibor Kálnoky, in the 25th generation from this historical family (which was exiled during the communist period.) had decided to leave the west from where he was born, to establish himself in the Country. His goal was to save his family’s architectural heritage, along with the cultural and natural heritage of the region, all the while helping out the people of this region, the ones who make up this community. In the end he managed to accomplish this.” Explains Iulia Stancu, the person responsible for the communication with the castle.
“Like in a classical tale, his story is one of exile, a castle, a count, and a happy ending. Except that in this story, rather than a princess, the building was the one that got saved from abandonment and oblivion, instead transforming itself into the Museum of Transylvanian Life. Now, it is among the few places in Transylvania managed by the same family that gave it its name, meaning it represents a story of over four centuries, but one that is still very much alive."

Source: Ramona Cuciuch (www.theunlikelydiva.com)

The Kálnoky Foundation requested for funding through EEA Grants for restauration works of the Castle. The restorations began only by 2014. The Castle it is managed by the Kálnoky family. Since nothing remained in the building’s interior, a thorough search project has been carried out, finding and recuperating many valuable objects that represent the life of aristocracy from Transylvania: from musical instruments, weapons, furniture to carpets. An important help during the revitalization process came from Romanian Government, the Kingdoms of Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, as well from INTBAU Scandinavia, an international organization which sustains architectural heritage projects.