51.6 million kuna for the renovation of the Tikveš complex in Kopački rit

A total of 51.6 million kuna will be invested in the renovation of the Tikveš castle, of which 85 percent is financed by the European Union, said Ružica Marušić, head of the Department for Promotion and Implementation of Projects at the Public Institution Nature Park Kopački rit, at a conference on Tuesday at the ecological station of the castle complex.

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“The contract for the allocation of funds between the Public Institution Nature Park Kopački rit, the Ministry of Regional Development and European Funds, and the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of EU Programs and Projects (SAFU) was signed on October 5, 2017. The project is co-financed by the European Union under the Operational Program ‘Competitiveness and Cohesion – Promoting Sustainable Use of Natural Heritage in National Parks and Nature Parks,'” explained Marušić.

The project was presented by the director of the Public Institution Nature Park Tomislav Bogdanović and project manager Vesna Hrvojević. The implementation of the project is planned until 2021, and it will equip and repurpose the Tikveš castle complex (New Castle with annex and Ladanjska villa) into a presentation-educational center about the natural features of Kopački rit and the importance of its preservation.

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As stated, the Public Institution Nature Park Kopački rit expects a greater fluctuation of visitors to the complex, an expansion of the offer, and increased attendance.

The assistant minister of tourism, Snježana Brzica, assessed that the renovation will contribute to greater tourism development in the Osijek-Baranja County.

“We see this presentation-educational center in the Ministry of Tourism as an additional motivation for tourists to come to this county, which still has potential that needs to be put into function,” said Brzica.

Deputy Goran Ivanović stated that this investment will raise the level of tourist offerings and that he is particularly pleased with the government’s interest in such a project, as it is a serious potential that the county needs.

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The castle complex dates back to the 19th century and was built by members of the teschenske lineage of the Habsburg family. Throughout history, the castles served as a residential hunting center, known in Europe and the world, exclusively closed to guests of the court and rulers.

During the occupation of Baranja, the complex was completely looted, and the infrastructure was destroyed. Since 1991, it has been owned by the Republic of Croatia, and by a government decision in 1999, it was entrusted for use and management to the Public Institution Nature Park Kopački rit.