📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
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 state-owned and is run by National Heritage Institute under the Ministry of Culture. The aim of the project is to help with the maintenance of the castle and its surroundings.
💼 What the programme involves
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 surrounding the castle (sometimes on a very steep slope!), some basic renovation and maintenance tasks (painting, cleaning inside the castle, etc.) The work is manual and physically 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. You will have a chance to help with an evening culture program organized for visitors (such as Night guided tour with historical characters). There will be an opportunity to organize a community dinner for local people from the nearby village and for castle visitors. Please bring recipes for your favourite meals and some pictures, music or clothes from your country/region of origin.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will sleep directly at the castle in one big room in beds. Therefore you need to bring your own 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. A common room is also available. There is a fireplace outside in the backyard of the castle where you can have barbecue.
📍 About the location
Castle Grabstejn in the 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. The area is has a beautiful mountainous countryside which is perfect for hiking.
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. 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. Please bring some games and musical instruments.
ℹ️ Additional information
This camp is especially suitable for hard-working volunteers who also like nature, hiking and want to discover closely the castle.