Fortress Kastel is the oldest building in Banja Luka and around, and it dates back to Roman times. It was built on the left side of Vrbas River, and it had a special meaning in history, among other things, because it was built on the old road that connected Dalmatia with Pannonia, that is Sava River, which was northern boundary of the Roman Empire.
After years of decline, restoration at Kastel in 2013 finally started and it will be done in nine phases, and the initial phase of its restoration is completed, and the majority of it was helped by the money of the European Union.
“The current investment of the European Union into a fortress Kastel amounts to 7,035,055.00 BAM, while the city of Banja Luka has invested a total of 2,172,396.56 BAM,” said Milenko Sajic, a spokesman for the city administration of Banja Luka.
“When looking at the overall assessment of the necessary investments needed for the full completion of restoration of Kastel fortress, which in accordance with the technical documentation amounts to 50,688,075.29 BAM, it is clear that current investments account for around one fifth of the necessary funds,” explained Sajic.
He added that there is desire to continue activities on its reconstruction is reflected in the strategic determination for Kastel to be the backbone of the development of tourism and infrastructure for cultural events.
Head of the Department for cultural and historical heritage of the RS, Milijana Okilj, which carried out conservation supervision of restoration, structural repair and reconstruction of the fortress Kastel, said that the work was done in a satisfactory manner.
“During the reconstruction were used traditional building materials such as lime plaster etc. The modern materials are used only where necessary,” said Okilj.
“What would be good for tourism is to make some content related to the history and tradition of the city within the tour of the citadel in the fortress. There are costumed people in many fortifications in Europe representing the way of life centuries ago to tourists,” concluded tourismologists of Tourism Organization of Banja Luka, Zoran Sankovic.
(Source: E. B./Klix.ba)
