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044 | Experiencing the middle age with Naturefriends Krnov

Period
2011
ongoing
Topics
Tourism
Countries
Czechia

In 2011 Czech Naturefriends registered a new local group not following ordinary Naturefriends’ activities. Called “The Nordic Lords’ Community”, the group of adults, youngsters and children from the town of Krnov in the northeast of Czechia is interested in medieval life, culture and traditional handicrafts. The group meets weekly for historical fencing trainings, handicraft workshops etc. and has a large public impact as well: The Nordic Lords actively support historic open-air festivals and tournaments, e. g. in the ruins of Helfenstein Castle, which they have declared their domicile. 

Recently, they have been trying to turn Hostalkovy château in the neighbourhood of their hometown into a “living medieval and renaissance manor house”. The Naturefriends of Krnov, in cooperation with the chateau owners, started organising fencing, musical and cultural performances and handicraft workshops there in order to raise visitors’ awareness for medieval way of living. For example, workshops on “Da Vinci's inventions” were held in November 2018 and March 2019 to show visitors some handmade models of middle age tools – a crane, a catapult or a self-supporting wooden bridge.

A contribution to the following UN Sustainable Developement Goals: