Greenhouse terrace at Veveří Castle

The greenhouse terrace at Veveří Castle will offer picturesque views of almost the entire castle complex. This will happen thanks to the planned reconstruction of the orangery and greenhouse, which are now closed due to their disrepair. The terrace will be opened to the public after 9 years. Other areas of the castle and its surroundings will also undergo modifications.

Like many other parts of the castle, the greenhouse terrace also suffered from reckless modifications of the complex after the Second World War. At that time Veveří was not a tourist destination as it is today. It was the seat of a forestry school, then the castle was managed by the Technical University, and there was even a plan to convert the castle into a student and congress centre.

The local greenhouse terrace was built in the second half of the 19th century in Neo-Gothic style. However, it has been gradually deteriorating over the last few decades. The aim of the project is to revitalise it, make it accessible to the public and create facilities for tourists visiting the castle. The project envisages the rescue of the preserved historical structure and the creation of a recreation area with unmistakable views of the castle.

Hand in hand with the restoration of the greenhouse terrace, the National Heritage Institute, under whose administration the castle falls, is preparing a project for the restoration of the South Gate. This area will serve as a new visitor centre for the approximately 80,000 tourists who visit the site every year. Previously unused areas will be made accessible, for example, on the ground floor of the South Gate, a glimpse into the small black kitchen area that was used by the guards, or the luggage room, which was previously missing from the castle. The planned project also includes other educational elements that will introduce the history of the castle.

The subsidy from the ITI tool will contribute nearly CZK 26 million to these modifications. In total, the revitalisation of the greenhouse terrace and the South Gate is expected to cost CZK 121 million.

The aforementioned modifications are planned, among others, within the framework of the integrated solution of the Brno Reservoir (metropolitan recreation area). Its aim is to improve access to the main attractions of the Brno Reservoir. Those with a sporty disposition will surely welcome the fact that a new cycle path will run along the section from Veveří Castle to Rakovec. The main road for cars will also be reconstructed. And visitors travelling from Brno will appreciate the modernisation of the tram line leading to the reservoir around Obvodová Street. Part of the integrated solution is also the creation of parking capacities at the Brno Zoo. It has also supported the creation of new educational points in the zoo.