The projects – Cultural Experiences of Jelšingrad Manor, Castle View Experience – Podčetrtek Castle and Podsreda Castle – Cultural Heritage and Tourism – were selected in the public tender for co-funding of projects of sustainable renovation and revitalisation of cultural monuments owned by municipalities and the inclusion of cultural experiences in Slovenian tourism. The projects will be co-financed from the funds for the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Cultural Experiences of Jelšingrad Manor

On behalf of the Municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah, the contract was signed by Mayor Matija Čakš. The project Cultural Experiences of Jelšingrad Manor includes an investment in the reconstruction of part of Jelšingrad Manor, which is a cultural monument of local importance. At the same time, the project also envisages the development of new tourism products – virtual reality experiences.

Reconstruction of the roof and roof cornice, replacement of the roof covering and provision of the static stability of the building will protect the highly endangered cultural heritage building and add new tourism-related content which will interpret and promote the cultural heritage by means of modern digital tools. The project will contribute to economic and tourism recovery as well as to sustainable development and cultural tourism.

With the signing of the contract, all conditions for the implementation of the project, scheduled to be completed on 30 September 2025, have been met.

The investment value of the project is EUR 1,343,000 (excluding VAT). The Ministry of Culture will provide around EUR 1,064,000 (excluding VAT), and the Municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah will provide the remaining funds.

Castle View Experience

On behalf of the Municipality of Podčetrtek the contract was signed by Mayor Peter Misja. The Castle View Experience project concerns the restoration of the part of Podčetrtek Castle that the municipality bought in 2021 to preserve it from further decay. The project is important from an investment point of view, because the monument is in danger of losing its monumental properties due to static hazards.

Otherwise, the main challenge of the project is to promote the development of sustainable cultural tourism by using heritage and its potential. The purpose of the investment is the energy efficiency, programme and static renovation of part of the castle (former stables), including the renovation of the façade and furniture, as well as the preliminary preparation of static rehabilitation on the perimeter walls. At the same time, the project will develop new tourism products, mostly upgraded with the use of digital techniques, and information and communication technologies for the presentation and promotion of cultural heritage and the entire Podčetrtek destination with the broader area.

With the signing of the contract, all conditions for the implementation of the project, scheduled to be completed on 31 December 2024, have been met.

The investment value of the project is EUR 2,047,000 (excluding VAT). The Ministry of Culture will provide around EUR 1,614,000 (excluding VAT), and the Municipality of Podčetrtek will provide the remaining funds.

Podsreda Castle – Cultural Heritage and Tourism

On behalf of the Municipality of Kozje the contract was signed by Mayor Milenca Krajnc. The objective of the Podsreda Castle – Cultural Heritage and Tourism project is to revive the cultural heritage of the castle by developing additional tourism offering. The investment in the restoration and modernisation of this cultural monument, development of cultural and tourism services and products, as well as advertising, providing information and raising public awareness are intended to make Podčetrtek a more attractive tourist destination, including the area of ​​the municipality of Kozje. In addition, the objective is also to improve the reputation of Slovenia in the field of cultural heritage, culture and tourism and encourage tourist visits to this tourist destination.

A full renovation of the Romanesque chapel will be carried out as part of the project. Unlike the rest of the castle, which has undergone a full renovation in the last thirty years, the chapel has not yet been restored. The renovation work and modernisation of equipment has greatly improved the condition of the building. Podsreda Castle has thus come to life as a whole, as the restoration work has provided the castle with permanent content, regular maintenance has been ensured, and the restored cultural and historical building represents a complementary tourism offering of the local and regional area. The revival of the Romanesque chapel will enable further research and development of knowledge about the Romanesque cultural heritage, and at the same time provide an addition to the tourism offering of the castle (weddings, concerts, etc.).

With the signing of the contract, all conditions for the implementation of the project, scheduled to be completed on 30 October 2025, have been met.

The investment value of the project is EUR 1,243,000 (excluding VAT). The Ministry of Culture will provide around EUR 977,000 (excluding VAT), and the Municipality of Kozje will provide the remaining funds.