Conservation of cultural heritage

Project: Grabstejn is a former medieval castle which was later rebuilt as a renaissance chateau. It was severely damaged under the communist regime but has gone through reconstruction since. Now it is an example of care for historical heritage presenting the life of high society through centuries to the wide public. The castle visitors are offered classical guided tours but also different cultural and educational activities. The castle is located in Northern Bohemia and it is surrounded by a beautiful mountainous countryside which is perfect for hiking.

Work: The nature of your work depends on what is actually needed to do according to castle revitalisation plan. This includes cutting grass and wood, removing of invasive vegetation in the forest surrounding the castle, some basic renovation of paths, walls and balustrades, cleaning inside the castle, etc. The work is manual and physically very demanding. Volunteers will need working clothes that can get dirty or damaged and good solid shoes.

Study part: Learn more about the castle and meet local castle staff.

Leisure time: You can go hiking in the beautiful hilly countryside surrounding the castle and climb a famous mountain Jested (1012 m) with a hotel on the top representing typical socialist architecture. It’s possible to go swimming in a nearby lake (don’t forget your swimsuit) or play some games and music (please take some musical instruments with you if you can play on them). The nearest city is Liberec with a zoo and a botanical garden. It is possible to visit a regional brewery and many other interesting sights.

Accommodation/Food: You will sleep directly at the castle in one big room on foam mattresses or beds. Therefore you will need to bring a sleeping bag. There is a toilet and a shower with hot water. Next to the bedroom there is a small kitchen where you will prepare the meals by yourselves, so please bring some interesting recipes with you.

Location: Castle Grabstejn in the small village of Chotyne (860 people) in Northern Bohemia. The nearest town is Hradek nad Nisou (about 7500 people) which is connected with Chotyne by public transport.

Note: This camp is especially suitable for hard-working volunteers who also like nature, hiking and want to discover closely the castle.

Project: The workcamp takes place at the site of the famous castle Kynzvart which belonged to the councillor Metternich in the 19th century. The neo-classical castle has a charming park and an amazing history going back to the 13th century. It is situated in the westernmost corner of the Czech Republic, near the spa towns Karlovy Vary - Marianske Lazne - Frantiskovy Lazne.

Work: The volunteers will work in the castle park and in the surrounding forest park. They will mainly perform maintenance and gardening tasks such as cleaning paths, weeding, removing fallen branches and leaves, making wood etc.

Study part: Get to know the history of the place while taking part in a guided tour of the Castle Kynzvart. We plan an intercultural evening, so take some pictures and music that represents you and some interesting recipes with you.

Leisure time: Different kinds of sports, swimming in the nearby ponds, trips to the nearby spa towns and the surrounding countryside. Take some games for the evenings after work.

Accommodation/Food: In the castle area in a house. Take your sleeping bag and sleeping mat. A bathroom and a small kitchen are available. The volunteers will prepare their meals on their own.

Location: Lazne Kynzvart (area of castle Kynzvart), about 11 km from the well-known spa town Marianske Lazne.

Project: The project takes place in Holesov, a small Moravian town, known for its large pre‑war Jewish community. The community was wiped-out during World War II and has only very few members today. The workcamp supports the work of the Culture centre of Holesov which maintains the local Jewish cemetery and other Jewish monuments in the town and organizes the festival of Jewish culture called “Jewish Culture Week” which will take place during the workcamp.

Work: The volunteers will work on the local Jewish cemetery and in the synagogue (about 90% of the working time) where they will help to maintain outdoor areas. The work can include cleaning of pavements, liquidating of invasive plant, painting, grinding off, etc. Furthermore, they will help with the technical preparations of the festival “Jewish Culture Week” which is taking place in Holesov during the workcamp (10% of the working time). Bring suitable working clothes with you. The work might be physically demanding, weekends are usually working days (because of the festival) but you will get days off during the week.

Study part: You can learn more about Jewish culture and visit concerts, performances and films during the festival. Visit to local monuments.

Leisure time: Trips to the surroundings, free entrance to cultural activities organized by the local cultural centre, free access to the local swimming-pool.

Accommodation/Food: In the former gamekeeper’s lodge belonging to the park of a local castle. Please bring a sleeping bag. The participants prepare their own meals.

Location: Holesov, a middle-sized town with around 12.000 people in the south-east of the Czech Republic

Note: Volunteers interested in Jewish culture are especially welcome!

Project: The workcamp is organized in cooperation with the local NGO Hartenberg which supports the development of volunteering in Western Bohemia and takes care of the remains of castle Hartenberg. The castle was purposely set on fire several times in the past and is now in a very bad state. With the help of volunteers it is being gradually reconstructed. Today, parts of the castle (mainly the big courtyard) are being used for cultural, ecological and educational activities. In 2010, the International Voluntary Academy of Hartenberg was established as the idea of volunteers. Its main task is to spread volunteering activities in the region as well as organize international projects together with the NGO Hartenberg.

Work: The work will be varied and adjusted to the abilities and preferences of volunteers but also according to current needs of the partner organization. Firstly, volunteers will be helping with the preparations of a traditional event, the outdoor Holly mass (15th August), which takes place in the courtyard of the castle. The work will include cleaning and other technical and manual tasks. Secondly, volunteers will be working according to a concept of the “voluntary academy” – this work can range from creative and artistic activities to manual work at the castle and in the garden. Creative part can include making info panels, preparing materials and presentations, writing articles for the website or artistic activities (drawing, ceramics, etc.). The manual part will be most of the time physically demanding and can include reconstruction and renovation works (with stones, bricks and other materials) and gardening works (cutting and collecting grass, arrangement of the ground, etc.).

Study part: Discover the history and current intercultural atmosphere of the Hartenberg castle. It will be possible to organize intercultural evenings so please bring some materials that represent your culture (music and musical instruments, films, pictures, recipes, small objects, etc.). You can also be part of a workshop on sustainable practices.

Leisure time: You can go hiking in the mountainous countryside, visit some of the famous spa-towns in the region, go canoeing, do some sport activities and play music. During the weekends there will be time to go on whole-day trips, too.

Accommodation/Food: The accommodation will be very basic; please don’t expect any comfort! You will sleep in a cottage near the castle in two common rooms. Take a sleeping bag and a sheet to cover the mattress with you. The toilet and showers will be provided in a container that is located in the courtyard. The participants will cook some meals for themselves in a small kitchen and some meals will be prepared by a cook. Bring your local recipes.

Location: The castle ruin is situated near the village Hrebeny in western Bohemia and other villages in the region.

Note: We are looking for flexible and sociable volunteers with an interest in cultural heritage and nature. The workcamp can suit both people with artistic skills and also people who like manual work. The focus of the work will depend a lot on your own abilities and interest. Please take good walking boots, warm cloths and raingear with you.

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