📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The association RONDEL was established in the year 2000 and since then their main goal is the reparation of the ruins and promoting the Cabrad Castle and the area where it is located for local tourism. Cabrad is one of the least-known castles in Slovakia and was built to protect the surrounding mining towns in the area from the south during the time of the Ottoman invasion. Workcamps have been organized there since 2012.
💼 What the programme involves
Work will be specifically aimed at preservation of the badly damaged ruins of the Cabrad castle. There are static defects (gaps and holes) in the masonry and volunteers will work on repairing them - preparing the stone, sand, mortar and materials that will be transported to the castle. The volunteers will help with cleaning the area of the castle, renovating the paths in the ruins. No specific skills required.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The Cabrad Castle is situated on the west slopes of Krupina Mountains. It is 4 km far from the civilization so there is no electricity and no public transport. The only water supply available is in the valley and has to be carried up. Accommodation is in the attic of the castle gate. There is a dry, wooden floor and mattresses are available. There is no heating and the nights are cold. Bring a warm sleeping bag and a mat. The building has 2 floors; you need to climb upstairs using a wooden ladder. There is no electricity in the castle - only candles and torches (it is highly recommended to bring your own). If you have your own tent, you can build it in the courtyard of the castle. A kitchen on solid fuel furnace, open fire, or a small camping gas cooker will be used for preparing meals. The volunteers will help with cooking. On demand, vegetarian meals can be provided.
📍 About the location
The castle is located near the villages Cabradsky Vrbovok and Konske. They are villages near Krupina (16 km far away) located in the Central part of Slovakia. From the village Konske (4 km) you can get by walking to the ruins of the Cabrad Castle – the place of the workcamp. The meeting point will be in the village Cabradsky Vrbovok.
The castle is surrounded by beautiful nature and with several possibilities for hiking. There are interesting historical towns in the surrounding area and the region itself is interesting for historians, geologists and biologists alike.
⚠️ Requirements
Bring a warm sleeping bag and a mat (for little bit of extra comfort), working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, torch, bowl, spoon and a smile on your lips :) You can also take musical instruments and something typical from your country that you would like to share with other volunteers and the local community.
ℹ️ Additional information
Study Part: The workcamp will be visited by INEX Messenger who will organize a workshop focused on current issues in Europe. The volunteers will prepare the "Feast of cultures" - an international food festival for the local community, and will join the “volunteering footprint” workshop. Our camps will follow the rules of Sustainability campaign.
Attention: HLC – Hard living conditions. The camp is for history and nature lovers and for those who are not afraid to accept the challenge of living in difficult conditions for two weeks surrounded by beautiful nature!
For more info about the project and the history of the castle please access: http://www.rondel.sk/inex-information/
Summary: “Take working clothes and be ready for adventures!” In Cabrad you will have unforgettable experiences while renovating an old Slovak castle far from civilization!