Beyond knights and wars: the EU’s mediaeval castles become strongholds of sustainable tourism

euronews (in English)

Beyond knights and wars: the EU’s mediaeval castles become strongholds of sustainable tourism  Two ancient castles in the Croatian region of Istria have been renovated and refurbished to give them a second lease of life. This is how old stones are providing a glimpse into to the past — while creating jobs and boosting local economies.  In partnership with the European Commission  READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/13/beyond-knights-and-wars-the-eus-mediaeval-castles-become-strongholds-of-sustainable-touris  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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00:00If we don't give a second life to a monument, then it's almost sure that it will be collapsed in a not very long period.

00:19These Croatian students are playing an escape game inside a real Renaissance castle.

00:24The activity is completed with interactive multimedia visits under the supervision of their teachers.

00:31We move into a parallel between the past, the Middle Ages and today.

00:36To see the difficult times of this time.

00:39To see how it looked like our place, our castle.

00:43Why it was so structured?

00:45What reasons? Why? Why? Why?

00:48Why? Why? Why? Why? Why would they now have their advantage at their base?

00:57These children's activities are just some of the many

01:00offered by the Moroznī Grimani castle in Istrija, Croatia.

01:04It is one of the two castles chosen by a European project,

01:08aimed at giving second life to the region's ancient fortresses,

01:12so they provide a glimpse of the past while creating jobs.

01:14jobs. Fully restored and refurbished, the castle employs 12 staff in high season. It

01:20can be used for weddings, gastronomy tasting events, team building, concerts or medieval

01:25nights.

01:26It was here before us. We need to make sure that it stays after us. And this is something

01:32that we talk to all of the guests. To come here, to have fun, to enjoy it, but to respect

01:38every stone. When we plan the events or the programs for groups, we take special care

01:43in how to make it sustainable.

01:47The project's total amount was around 3 million euros. Eighty-five percent were covered by

01:52the European Cohesion Policy. The two restored castles attract some 50,000 visitors per year.

02:00Around 5,000 of those visitors come to Petra Pilosa, a far more isolated 10th century castle.

02:07These walls now host treasure hunts for kids, along with poetry festivals, meditation workshops

02:13or jazz and pop rock concerts. These castles' future depends on their capability to keep

02:19boosting local economies, claims an archaeologist involved in their study and renovation.

02:25We restore the structures that are still preserved. If it's not in use, then soon after we will

02:31have problems again because the structures will be again collapsed or destroyed and then it's hard to

02:38find the finances to repair it again. So when you have a space that is in condition as here in Petra Pilosa,

02:45then it really attracts people and it is very important that they start to appreciate more

02:50what they have and to think about how to preserve this.

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