Weekend in a palace – famous castle Kaštilj in Novo Mileševo awaits restoration worth 60m EUR

Nearly 50 castles in the province of Vojvodina still represent an underutilized tourist potential of Serbia. Most of these facilities, built in XVIII, XIX and early XX century, are now ruined and neglected, and their restoration is a major financial challenge for every investor.

However, the interest in these palaces is becoming greater every year. Currently, famous castle Kaštilj in Novo Miloševo is being prepared for the restoration. It is the largest tourism investment in Vojvodina. The castle should be completely renewed prior to year 2013 at the latest, and its complex will be supplemented with a wellness centre and a high-category hotel. The value of the investment is estimated at about 60m EUR.

- We are currently preparing a master plan, funded by the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, as part of the project "Tourist Destination Novo Miloševo". The job has been entrusted to Austrian company "Oberer Consulting" and we expect the Master Plan to be completed around May 15th. After its adoption, we will be able to negotiate with potential investors about the appropriate form of investment - Đorđe Popov from the Municipality of Novi Bečej, to which the castle belongs, explained for "eKapija".

The master plan will include thorough reconstruction of the existing castle, which is a highly protected monument of culture, and construction of a luxury hotel and a wellness center in the castle’s backyard. The castle is surrounded by two large parks: the classic French-style baroque park is located in front and an English landscape garden behind the building. There is a possibility that a golf course will be built at 35 hectares. Thermal springs (70 º C) at about 1,000 meters below the surface represent special advantage of the complex.

(former looks of the castle)

- The investigations of water company "Vode Vojvodine" have proved that the drilling can be done at up to 1500 m below the surface, which would significantly increase the water temperature and the water could be then used not only by wellness centre, but also for the alternative heating of the castle, that is, the future complex. That would reduce the costs significantly.

Kaštilj occupies an area of 3,000 square meters. It has two levels and, following the reconstruction, it should contain five or six luxury suites. A tunnel (above or below the surface) will be connecting the castle with the newly built wellness centre, that is, outdoor and indoor thermal swimming pools, saunas, fitness halls and beauty parlors. There are plans for almost 200 studios in the hotel, while the parking lot is going to cover an area of 2 ha. The parks are currently neglected and must be revitalized.

- A part of the castle was transformed by the municipality of Novi Bečej into a folklore museum with about 4,000 exhibits. The funds for the reconstruction of that object, opposite the castle, have been provided by the municipality. Restoration of the storage space for wheat, which costs about 10m RSD, is in the pipeline, and it will be financed by the Institute for Preservation of Monuments. That part of the facility will represent an ethno ambience with small souvenir shops and other contents.

Popov points out that the municipality will provide complete infrastructure for potential investors, and he also says that the construction of the bypass around Novo Miloševo is in the pipeline. The castle is connected to the gas system, but the current “tenant” prefers electricity.

- Chemical company "Hinom" will be using the castle until summer. This company rented the castle in the eighties when the maintenance costs were exceptionally big, and the municipality was unable to cover them. Municipality of Beodra purchased the castle from "Zagrebačka banka" in 1938 because its owner, Count Andor Karácsony, was unable to pay his debts.

On that occasion, Karácsony lost not only his property, but also his count title. The castle went through the most difficult period in its history when it had no owner, between 1975 and 1981.

Once it is completed, which, according to expectations, should be no later than 2013, Kaštilj is going to represent one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Serbia, says Popov.

T.S.