On November 7, 2023, a public hearings was held in the village of Pniv within the framework of the project “SHARING HERITAGE: Preserving Historical Legacy of Pniv Fortress in Ukraine and Ardud Fortress in Romania for Tourism Development” 2SOFT/2.1/169.
The event began with a presentation of the project results. Project Director, Iryna Novosilska, highlighted the significant progress made in its implementation. In particular, the partners carried out a series of measures aimed at preserving Ardud Fortress in Romania and Pniv Castle in Ukraine, as well as ensuring the safety and comfort of their visitors. Scientific and technical documentation was prepared for urgent conservation works at Pniv Castle; an external lighting system was installed; and interpretive and informational panels are currently being put in place. At the same time, expert documentation is being prepared for the construction of the Pniv Castle Heritage Interpretation Centre. Meanwhile, for Ardud Fortress in Romania, high-capacity dehumidifiers were purchased and installed to provide ventilation and regulate humidity inside the fortress premises; a ground lighting system was installed in the fortress galleries; the entrance gates were repaired; and stone paving was laid.
Ukrainian project experts developed the Pniv Castle Heritage Management Plan — a comprehensive document aimed at ensuring the preservation and rational management of the castle’s tangible and intangible heritage in the interests of present and future generations, while also demonstrating the potential of this heritage and optimal mechanisms for its sustainable use in local development. It is expected that the Plan will be approved by the Pasichna Village Council as a local targeted programme to be implemented during 2023–2025. Work is also being finalised on the concept for the Pniv Castle Heritage Interpretation Plan, which will be applied in the activities of the future Interpretation Centre.
In addition, the project produced a 3D model of Pniv Castle, a 3D model of Ardud Fortress, and a virtual guide available as a smartphone application. To promote the project, branded materials and leaflets about its results were prepared by the partners. Presentation videos, maps, and tourist guides were also created to promote the heritage sites.
Within the framework of the project, meetings of the supervisory board and working groups were held, along with study visits of Romanian colleagues to Ukraine and Ukrainian colleagues to Romania, a joint study trip to Ireland, and two cross-border international workshops with the participation of experts in fields related to cultural heritage and local development. Ukrainian and Romanian partners also commissioned medieval costumes for further use in heritage interpretation. In July 2023, the 11th edition of the International Festival of Medieval Heritage was held in Ardud, which has already become a popular and recognisable event. In turn, on September 24, 2023, medieval historical reenactments took place on the territory of Pniv Castle.
The next part of the discussion concerned the scientific and technical documentation for urgent conservation works at Pniv Castle. Taras Yurchylo, Deputy Head of Pasichna Village Council, explained that such conservation works would include emergency stabilization and reinforcement measures, protection of the castle from further deterioration, and preservation of the authentic state and historical-cultural value of its ruins. These works should also ensure the safe future use of the monument — the ruins of Pniv Castle are to be adapted as a tourist attraction and a site for heritage interpretation. It is planned that access to the castle will be organized through a single entrance via the Gate Tower, eliminating unregulated passages through other towers and walls. Inside the castle grounds, pathways and other elements will be arranged to allow convenient visitor movement without endangering the ruins, in compliance with state building standards on accessibility for people with reduced mobility. Additionally, pedestrian walkways will be laid around the castle.
Participants actively discussed this issue. In particular, they were interested in the fate of the unfinished reconstruction. In response, Mr. Yurchylo explained that the planned urgent conservation works do not envisage preserving reconstruction elements — most likely, they should be dismantled. A small hall for conferences and public events is planned inside the Tower with its adjoining structure, and an observation deck will be arranged on the upper level of the tower. Another debated issue was whether an entrance fee should be charged to visitors. Mr. Yurchylo noted that, in his opinion, technically it would be difficult to implement, and such a decision lies within the competence of the castle’s owner.
The final topic of discussion was the preparation of project documentation for the construction of a 15th-century castle heritage interpretation centre in Pniv. Project Director, Iryna Novosilska, presented the Centre’s concept and shared examples of similar interpretation centres currently operating in many countries. Such centres are usually located in historic sites, national parks, or other protected areas. As a rule, they are specialised institutions that transform cultural and/or natural heritage into educational, cultural, or tourist products. Their main purpose is to reveal and promote a better understanding among visitors of the value of specific cultural or natural heritage sites through awareness-raising and informal education.
As for the planned Pniv Castle Heritage Interpretation Centre, its future building should blend organically into the local landscape and not dominate the monument. Therefore, a significant part of the building will be located below ground level. The design will provide separate spaces for a permanent interpretive exhibition, with each zone equipped with interactive elements engaging all senses of the visitors. Guests will move through these zones step by step, experiencing the exhibition in a way that allows up to 100 visitors to be present in the Centre simultaneously without overcrowding. The project also envisages the creation of a cinema hall for films interpreting the castle’s heritage and its surroundings, a hall for public events, reception areas, a souvenir and tourist literature shop, a café, and sanitary facilities appropriate to the number of visitors. Accessibility for people with reduced mobility will be an essential requirement for the building’s design.
The future construction of the Centre was also actively discussed. Participants expressed their support for the idea but emphasised that archaeological research of the site must precede construction, as there is a significant risk of irretrievable loss of valuable artefacts, as happened during earlier reconstruction/restoration attempts. In response, Project Manager, Kyrylo Rubanovskyi, stressed that the goal of creating the Centre is precisely to preserve the heritage of the castle, not to destroy or distort it. He noted that all construction works would fully comply with national legislation. Moreover, as mentioned, the Centre is planned to be built outside the protected area of the monument. Regarding funding, Mr. Yurchylo noted that the construction of the Centre may become part of future projects. Potential funding sources could include the state budget and the State Regional Development Fund, with such funding being more realistic in the post-war period.
We sincerely thank all participants of the public discussion for their involvement and valuable input. Your active participation and constructive feedback play a key role in improving our outcomes. This interaction is an important step in our mission to create transparent and effective solutions.
Tourist Association of Ivano-Frankivsk Region in partnership with Pasichna Village Council (Ukraine), City Hall of Ardud and Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Satu Mare (Romania) is implementing the project ‘SHARING HERITAGE: Preserving Historical Legacy of Pniv Fortress in Ukraine and Ardud Fortress in Romania for Tourism Development’ 2SOFT/2.1/169. The mentioned project is being implemented until September 2023 under the Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020 and co-financed by the European Union. The total budget of the project is 496 811,12 EUR (app 19 974 000,00 UAH, the grant amount is 444 195,10 EUR (app 17 858 500 UAH).
Read more about the project at the link: https://www.taif.org.ua/news/release_169_midway/
Contact person – Iryna Novosilska, project director, tel. (0342) 542950, e-mail: office@taif.org.ua.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Tourist Association of Ivano-Frankivsk Region and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or of the Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020 management structures (www.ro-ua.net).
The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020 is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the Programme.
