‘The renovation of medieval castles and fortresses serves competitiveness,’ Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development Tibor Navracsics stated at the opening of the newly restored parts of the Boldogkő Castle in Boldogkőváralja, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, on Tuesday.
Tibor Navracsics emphasized that the once-forgotten, dusty, and dilapidated historical sites of Hungary are gradually reopening, providing entertainment, culture, and educational opportunities for visitors. He added that based on the experience of Western countries, competitiveness begins when we can optimally utilize our own traditions and heritage. Navracsics highlighted that regions themselves come to life with the restoration of monuments. Abaúj and Zemplén are perfect examples:
as a result of the multifaceted efforts of the government, Northern Hungary is also beginning to thrive, he added.
In Boldogkő’s Lower Castle, new exhibition spaces have opened in the cellar corridors. The Upper Castle Palace has regained its original medieval spatial structure through extensive interior renovations, with new exhibitions on both its ground floor and upper levels. Additionally, a seven-language application consisting of fourteen stations has been completed, which, through the guide application, alongside the exhibitions, showcases the living conditions and everyday lives of the former inhabitants of the over seven-hundred-year-old castle.
Zsolt Virág, Director of the Hungarian Castle Programme remarked at the opening that the development will significantly contribute to ensuring that Boldogkő Castle operate profitably in the coming decades.
Boldogkőváralja Mayor Ferenc Zavodni recalled that the municipality has been operating the castle for nearly thirty years, managing to increase the number of visitors from thirty thousand annually to ninety-five thousand. He stressed that tourism ensure income for the local residents.
The castle was renewed as part of the ‘Development of Zemplén and Abaúj Castles’ programme. The project, along with the castles in Sátoraljaújhely and Sárospatak, received a non-refundable government grant of 2.8 billion forints for the consortium carrying out the renovations. 641 million forints were allocated to the Boldogkő Castle.
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Sources: Hungarian Conservative/MTI
