Revival of architectural heritage in the Tokaj wine region – Patay Castle to be renovated

Phase II of the renovation of Patay Castle in the Abaújszántó Cekeháza district can now begin, according to the public procurement notice. According to the results announcement, Borsodi Fejlesztők Kft. will be working on the building, which has a net floor area of 604 m². The total value of the contract is 222,963,795 forints.

The project is being implemented under the Interreg Hungary-Slovakia Programme under the title „The Revival of the Noble Heritage of the Abaúj-Zemplén Region”. Three sites will be renovated as part of this cross-border initiative, including the historicist, neoclassical Patay Castle in Abaújszántó–Cekeháza. By the end of the development, the entire exterior façade will have been restored as a historic monument, and the interior of the castle will also be made safe for visitors. , according to the felvidek.ma website.

According to a previous article by boon.hu, the first phase of the renovation was completed in 2021, when the walls were structurally reinforced and the building was given a new floor and roof.

The ground around the building is also being tidied up.

One of the most important tasks of the current renovation is to preserve the remaining Renaissance paintings and decorative elements.

• The Renaissance painting in room F12 must be protected in accordance with the guidelines provided by restorers and researchers.
• The plaster and stucco architecture in the ceremonial hall (F6) and the foyer (F13) must also be protected throughout the entire construction period.
• A temporary wooden staircase will be built leading to the cellar, ensuring that the existing staircase remains intact.

The soil that has accumulated and eroded around the building over the decades must be removed. On average, 20–30 cm of earthwork is required to restore the original ground level at the time of construction. An 80 cm wide and 20 cm deep crushed stone strip will be created around the castle, which will also help to protect the walls.

Proper waterproofing of walls is essential for long-term preservation. Subsequent waterproofing of rising walls is carried out as a separate task.

Certain structurally safe parts of the castle will be open to visitors after the renovation. New walkways, railings and, where necessary, barriers will be installed in rooms F4, F5, F6 and F13 to ensure safe movement around the castle.

A separate restoration plan is required for the restoration work.

One of the most spectacular parts of the renovation is the complete restoration of the façade, which requires the coordinated work of several disciplines.

Prior to restoring the façade and ensuring accessibility, the following must be completed:

• repairing cracks,
• wall coverings,
• reinforcement of openings and brick vaults,
• as well as the static functions of balcony slabs and cantilevers.

Damaged facade masonry is repaired and supplemented where necessary. After repairing the masonry, grouting, surface treatment and then applying new base plaster follow to create uniform, appropriate surfaces.

The protruding architectural elements (cornices, gables) will be covered with pre-patinated Rheinzink panels. The restoration of the original stone frames on the façade is also part of the project. This requires a separate restoration plan to be drawn up and approved by the heritage protection authority. The renovation of the metal elements on the façade will also be carried out on the basis of a restoration plan subject to approval, following a similar procedure.

In addition to the above, certain elements of the work carried out during the first phase of preservation must be repaired or further developed:

• Replacement of the frozen cornice on the south-eastern gable of the central risalit.
• Re-drawing the entire length of the main cornice with the appropriate profile.
• Proper drainage pipe routing at the junction of the eaves and the cornice.
• Checking and correcting the slope of horizontal gutters.
• Installation of leaf guards in the gutters of the horizontal eaves.
• Retrofitting of water deflectors at the junction of the eaves and cornice.
• Formation of the eaves edge expansion joint.
• Installation of attic ventilation windows.