Sometimes referred to as the "Versailles of Transylvania", Banffy Castle dates mainly from the 17th century. The Transylvanian Trust offers you the chance to join its teams in the work and training currently underway to make the castle an international center of learning for restoration techniques.

Château Banffy de Bontida is located 30km from the city of Cluj-Napoca. Built gradually between the 16th and 19th centuries, it is one of Transylvania's most spectacular aristocratic residences. Looted and burned in 1944, then nationalized in 1948, inappropriate use and lack of maintenance in the second half of the 20th century left the castle in ruins. Restoration began in 1999. Today, it houses an educational and cultural center and attracts 50,000 visitors a year.

The courses consist of two-week modules, offering a theoretical and practical understanding of the protection of the historic environment. Emphasis is placed on the practical training of students, who are directly involved in the restoration of the castle through their activities in the fields of (1) masonry, vault and arch restoration and decorative techniques, (2) carpentry, furniture restoration and joinery, and (3) stone masonry workshops.

Since 2011, the range of practical training courses has been enhanced: students in the masonry workshop can now learn about the use of lime and decorative techniques (stucco, marmorino, sgraffito, fresco). The workshops are run jointly with Romanian craftsmen. At the start of the modules, participants receive theoretical training on the principles and methods of building heritage conservation.

Accommodation is indoors, in shared rooms at the château, with a minimum of 4 beds. Bathrooms are also shared. We provide hot water for showers.

Food consists of 3 meals a day in the château dining room. It is prepared and supplied by a caterer.

Arrival and departure days are relaxed, and on Saturdays and Sundays between the two training weeks (August 9 and 10), we organize a field trip and also provide free time on Sunday afternoons. The evenings are also free, with opportunities for volunteers to play board games or take part in outdoor activities.

No specific skills are required to take part.

In the days following your pre-registration, the International Relations Department will contact you by e-mail to arrange a telephone conversation.

This will enable us to get to know you better and give you more details about the workcamp (organization, arrival arrangements, etc.).

You can ask us any questions you may have, and let us know what you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

You will then receive a roadmap summarizing all useful information about the site.

• Access

Meet us on August 3 at Château de Banffy. The association will be there to welcome you and give you time to settle into your room.

You can reach the château by train to the nearest station, a 40-minute walk away. We'll put you in touch with other volunteers who can drive you from the station.