Count Kálnoky's Guesthouse

Commitment

“We came back to Transylvania to preserve what can be saved of the values created by our ancestors and indeed nature itself, and not merely in order to recuperate assets of some speculative financial value.”

– Count Tibor Kálnoky

Architecture

The Hunting Manor in Miklosvar preserves elements of the late Renaissance, early Baroque and Classical architectural styles. Built at the beginning of the 1500’s, it was then decorated and enlarged in the Renaissance style at the end of the 1600’s by the Transylvanian vice-chancellor, Samuel Kalnoky. Many elements are still visible today. Additional Neo-classical features were added in the late 1800’s, such as a veranda (whose original stones columns have recently been exposed). After the 1989 Revolution, the Hunting Manor was in a seroius state of disrepair. Since 1999, the Kalnoky family has been conducting archaeological studies, wall research and restoration work to return to it’s former state.

The outside walls of the Hunting Manor are fully decorated by geometrical, yellow and blue coloured frescoes from the late 1600’s; similar to those fronts found in contemporary Viennese palaces. In order to bring these unique frescoes to light, a wall restorer must first uncover the original frescoes, then restore and paint them using traditional materials and techniques. KCT is currently raising funds in order to start this next stage of the Hunting Manor’s restoration work.

The philosophy of restoring is characterised by utter respect for the textures and atmospheres of ancient buildings. The way derelict houses are restored is barely noticeable, rather would it seem that the buildings have aged gently and gradually without recent renovation.

All restored buildings remainvery much in keeping with the surrounding architecture.

To ensure that guests have a warm and comfortable stay, the original heating system of wood stoves has been enhanced.

Accommodation

All accommodationshave been caringly restored and furnished with authentic antiques and textiles from the region.

All rooms have double beds with specially manufactured mattresses and duvet covers of pure wool.

Food

The guesthouse has its own vegetable gardenand orchard. The rare ‘Black Transylvanian Bare Necked’ chicken is bred for eggs and meat. Milk, yoghurt and cheeses come from the village’s cows and sheep, and the honey from local bee-hives. All jams and preservesare prepared in their own kitchens. Trout is raised locally. The three-course meals with wine are prepared as of old by the cooks who have been passing down the recipes for generations. Catering for vegetariansor special dietary requests is available.

Social Commitment

The Kalnoky Conservation Trust encourages and supports projects that incorporate the following three objectives:

• Restoration and preservation of built heritage
• Conservation and protection of natural heritage
• Development and promotion of cultural activities

Next to donations the Trust also counts on the influences through tourism. Using the family´s cultural heritage(mainly two former mansions, “castles” as they are called in Hungarian, and the surrounding parts of the village) Count Kalnoky wants to attract visitors interested in the region and its culture. To increase awareness and understanding about the unique qualities of life in a place where the Middle Ages are still very much part of the present and a sense of sustainable development.

The Trust is also committed to promoting and protecting the local wildlife. It is lobbying for the forest behind the village, which is home to rare birds (lesser spotted eagle, black storks and white-backed woodpeckers), to be protected under Romanian and European law.