Current status of the project
Heinfels Castle’s main redevelopment should be complete and open once again to the general public within five years. An ambitious goal if you were to take a peek inside the imposing castle, as the last centuries haven’t been kind to the halls and chambers, leaving them to dilapidate. Things are about to change. Everyone is pulling out all stops both in the region and across its border to ensure one of the most important cultural and historic projects yet can be successfully completed.
Current status of the project
Nov. 2015 | Presentation of the concept regarding the use of the building (district councils of the Planning group 35 - East Tyrolean Oberland) |
Sept. 2015 | Workshop organised by the Austrian Federal Monuments Office at Heinfels Castle focussing on ruins/construction, the castle chapel, and public opening |
June - July 2015 | Excursions to castles in North and South Tyrol (Altfinstermünz, Haderburg, Trostburg, Burg Taufers) |
May 2015 | Start of the working groups and the Steering Group |
April 2015 | Registration of the Museumsverein Burg Heinfels at the Austrian Registry of Associations |
April 2015 | Choice of Management of the Museumsverein Burg Heinfels, Administration: local authority of Heinfels |
April 2015 | Application to register as a non-profit association at the Austrian Federal Chancellor’s Office and Tax and Revenue Office. |
April 2015 | Decision regarding the CI (Corporate Identity) of the Museumsverein Burg Heinfels, logo development and website creation |
March 2015 | Creation of the Steering Group of the Museumsverein Burg Heinfels, publication of the statutes. |
Sept. 2014 | Foundation of the Museumsverein Burg Heinfels (Saturday 6 September 2014) |
2015 goals
- Agreement regarding the use of the castle reached between the Museumsverein Burg Heinfels and the owner of the castle, A. Loacker Tourismus GmbH
- Drafting and approval of a concept regarding the use of Heinfels Castle for public and private events.
- Finalising the financing of the main redevelopment of Heinfels Castle.
- Development of a financially sustainable concept for the main redevelopment based on the building’s long-term use.
At present, all efforts and preparations aim to redevelop the castle as quickly as possible. This challenging building project will be implemented between 2016 and 2019 and include the following:
- Reconstruction of fallen walls (reconstruction of the palas, regardless of available financial means)
- Maintenance of all ceilings, floors, and indoor plaster.
- Completion of the ceilings
- Restoration of the façades
- Laying of the main installation to ensure no changes are required to the structure when the whole project is completed
- Restoration of existing windows and doors; alternatively, fitting new ones
- Simple but thorough setting up of the still preserved historic features such as ceiling and wall panelling
- Transformation of the chapel into a dedicated museum
The main redevelopment will guarantee the open use of the building to the general public. The concept regarding the use of the building will only be implemented in a second phase; this will be considered when carrying out the main redevelopment.