The Foundation has been organising annual hands-on trainings specialising in the rehabilitation of historic buildings since 2001. Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to perform practical work in a historic environment, while also addressing the shortage of professionals and skilled workers in the field of built heritage conservation. Since 2001, we have hosted over 3,000 participants from 32 countries (among which Albania, Belgium, Brazil, France, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States etc.).

Date: 2–15 August 2026

Camp Structure:

• Theoretical training on the first day: presentations by lecturers from Romania and abroad. Simultaneous translation into Romanian, Hungarian, or English will be provided as needed.
• Hands-on training in one of the following workshops:
  1. 1.Masonry and mural techniques (fresco, secco, sgraffito, stucco marmorino – 2 days),
  2. Traditional joinery and old furniture restoration.

Who can participate?

The camp is primarily aimed at students of architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture, archaeology, and art history who wish to gain practical experience in the rehabilitation of built heritage. The programme is also open to construction workers seeking specialisation, as well as any individuals interested in the restoration of historic monuments.

During the two-week programme, the participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn the theoretical principles and methodology of built heritage conservation from specialised lecturers from Romania and abroad, and apply them in practice during the workshops.
• Actively participate in the restoration of Bánffy Castle in Bonțida.
• Network with other (future) professionals in fields related to heritage protection, exchange experiences, and broaden their knowledge.

Upon completion of the camp, following an assessment, participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Practical Information:

• Location: Bánffy Castle, Bonțida, Romania.
• Duration of the camp: 14 days.
• Registration: applications must be submitted by filling out our registration form.
• Application deadline: 10 March 2026
• Participation fee: €350/person/module, or 1,780 RON. (if payment is made by 20 February 2026, a 10% discount is provided; in this case, the participation fee is €315, or 1,600 RON). This fee represents the participants’ contribution to the tuition, accommodation, and catering costs, all of which are provided on the castle grounds.
• For further details regarding our camps and activities, please contact us at: bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro

Note: The number of available places is limited.

For more information, please visit the following link: https://bhct.transylvaniatrust.ro/en/annual-call/

This project is supported by the Romanian Order of Architects, from the architectural stamp duty, and by The King’s Foundation.

The post Call for Applications: Built Heritage Conservation Training Camp at Bánffy Castle in Bonțida appeared first on BHCT.

Transylvania Trust has been organising practical trainings since 2001 to address, on the one hand, the lack of craftsmen and professionals in the field of historic building conservation, and, on the other hand, to promote the preservation and transmission of traditional building crafts to young people. So far, the castle has welcomed more than 3000 participants from Romania and abroad.

Duration:

Module 1: 3–16 August 2025

Structure:

• Theoretical training on the first day. The lectures delivered by qualified professionals from Romania and abroad will be translated simultaneously, as required, to Romanian, Hungarian or English.
• Practical training with the guidance of specialised craftsmen, focusing on 3 main domains:

1. Masonry, vault and arch restoration, mural decorations and specialised techniques (fresco, secco, sgraffito, stucco marmorino – 2 days)
2. Traditional joinery and furniture restoration, carpentry
3. Stonemasonry

Who can apply?

The training programme is aimed especially at undergraduate students in architecture, structural engineering, landscape architecture, archaeology, art history and other related fields. It can also be attended by craftsmen who seek to specialise in the restoration of historic buildings, but our training is open to anybody interested in the field of historic building conservation, or who wishes to acquire practical knowledge related to traditional building crafts.

Why apply?

The two-week training programme offers the opportunity:

• to learn about the theoretical principles and methodology of built heritage conservation from qualified lecturers, as well as traditional building craft skills through direct, “hands-on” learning,
• to work on a real restoration site along with a team of craftsmen experienced in this field and to contribute to the restoration of Bánffy Castle, Bonțida,
• to meet people from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, widening one’s understanding of the field through interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue.

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.

Practical information:

The training takes place on the grounds of Bánffy Castle, Bonțida, Romania. Its duration is 14 days.

Registration details:

• participants can register online or
• through e-mail, by sending the completed form to the address: bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro.

Note: The number of available places is limited.

The registration fee is 450 euro per student (if payment is made prior to 20 February 2025, a 10% discount will be applied, reducing the registration fee to 405 euro.) This fee represents the participants’ contribution towards tuition, accommodation and catering costs, all of which are provided on the castle grounds.

The deadline for application is 15 March 2025.

Full details of our training programmes and our work can be found at transylvaniatrust.ro. For further details please contact us at bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro.

The training programme is co-funded by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN).

“The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.”

The post Call for participants – Traditional Building Crafts and Historic Building Conservation appeared first on BHCT.

Transylvania Trust has been organising restoration camps since 2001 to address the lack of craftsmen and professionals in the field of historic building conservation. So far, we had more than 3000 participants from around 32 countries (among others Romania, Albania, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, France, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, etc.).

Duration:

Module 2: 17–30 August 2025

Structure:

• Theoretical training on the first day. The lectures delivered by qualified professionals from Romania and abroad will be translated simultaneously, as required, to Romanian, Hungarian or English.
• Practical training with the guidance of specialised craftsmen, focusing on 2 main areas:

1. Masonry, vault restoration, mural decorations and specialised techniques (fresco, secco, sgraffito, stucco marmorino – 2 days),
2. Traditional joinery and furniture restoration

Who can apply?

The organisers await the participation of undergraduate students in architecture, structural engineering, landscape architecture, archaeology, art history and other related fields. The camp can also be attended by craftsmen who seek to specialise in the restoration of historic buildings, but our training is open to anybody interested in the field of historic building conservation, or who wishes to acquire practical knowledge related to traditional building crafts.

Why apply?

The built heritage conservation training camp offers the opportunity:

• to learn about the theoretical principles and methodology of built heritage conservation from qualified lecturers, as well as to put the acquired information into practice through direct, “hands-on” learning,
• to work on a real restoration site along with a team of craftsmen experienced in this field and to contribute to the restoration of Bánffy Castle,
• to meet people from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, widening one’s understanding of the field through interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue.

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.

Practical information:

The camp takes place on the grounds of Bánffy Castle, Bonțida, Romania. Its duration is 14 days.

Registration details:

• participants can register online or
• through e-mail, by sending the completed form to the address: bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro.

Note: The number of available places is limited.

The registration fee is 450 euro per student (if payment is made prior to 20 February 2025, a 10% discount will be applied, reducing the registration fee to 405 euro.) This fee represents the participants’ contribution towards tuition, accommodation and catering costs, all of which are provided on the castle grounds.

The deadline for application is 15 March 2025.

Full details of our trainings, camps and our work can be found at transylvaniatrust.ro. For further details please contact us at bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro.

This project is supported by the Romanian Order of Architects, from the architectural stamp duty, and by The King’s Foundation.

The post Call for participants Built Heritage Conservation Training Camp appeared first on BHCT.

We hereby invite the interested public to this event, especially the younger generation, who will be able to acquire valuable professional knowledge at the workshop.

Participation is free of charge.

Co-funded by The Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN).

“The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.”

The post Open workshop of traditional building crafts at Bánffy Castle, Bonțida appeared first on BHCT.

Duration:
Module 1: 4–17 August 2024

Structure:
• Theoretical training on the first day. The lectures delivered by qualified professionals from Romania and abroad will be translated simultaneously, as required, to Romanian, Hungarian or English.
• Practical training with the guidance of specialised craftsmen, focusing on 4 main areas:

1. Masonry, vault restoration, mural decorations and specialised techniques (fresco, secco, sgraffito, stucco – 2 days),
2. Traditional joinery and furniture restoration,
3. Tinsmithing,
4. Stonemasonry.

• Academic lectures, discussions

Who can apply?
The training programme is aimed especially at undergraduate students in Architecture, Structural Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Archaeology, History of Art and other related fields. It can also be attended by craftsmen who seek to specialise in the restoration of historic buildings, but our training is open to anybody interested in the field of built heritage conservation, or who wishes to acquire practical knowledge related to traditional building crafts.

Why apply?
The two-week training programme offers the opportunity:
• to learn about the theoretical principles and methodology of built heritage conservation from qualified lecturers, as well as traditional building craft skills through direct, “hands-on” learning,
• to work on a real restoration site along with a team of craftsmen experienced in this field and to contribute to the restoration of Bánffy Castle,
• to meet people from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, widening one’s understanding of the field through interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue.

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.

Practical information:
The training takes place on the grounds of Bánffy Castle, Bonțida, Romania. Its duration is 14 days.

Registration details:
Participants can register online or through e-mail, by sending the completed form to the address: bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro
Note: The number of available places is limited.

The registration fee is 450 euro per student (if payment is made prior to 2 February, a 10% discount will be applied, reducing the registration fee to 405 euro.) This fee represents the participants’ contribution towards tuition, accommodation and catering costs, all of which are provided on the castle grounds.

The deadline for application is 2 March 2024.

Full details of our training programmes and our work can be found at transylvaniatrust.ro. For further details please contact us at bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro

The training programme is co-funded by The Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN).

“The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.”

The post Call for Participants: Training Programme in Traditional Building Crafts and Built Heritage Conservation appeared first on BHCT.

Duration:
Module 2: 18–31 August 2024

Structure:
• Theoretical training on the first day. The lectures delivered by qualified professionals from Romania and abroad will be translated simultaneously, as required, to Romanian, Hungarian or English.
• Practical training with the guidance of specialised craftsmen, focusing on 2 main areas:
1. Masonry, vault restoration, mural decorations and specialised techniques (fresco, secco, sgraffito, stucco – 2 days),
2. Traditional joinery and furniture restoration.

Who can apply?
The organisers await the participation of undergraduate students in Architecture, Structural Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Archaeology, History of Art and other related fields. The camp can also be attended by craftsmen who seek to specialise in the restoration of historic buildings, but our training is open to anybody interested in the field of historic building conservation, or who wishes to acquire practical knowledge related to traditional building crafts.

Why apply?
The built heritage conservation camp offers the opportunity:
• to learn about the theoretical principles and methodology of built heritage conservation from qualified lecturers, as well as to put the acquired information into practice through direct, “hands-on” learning,
• to work on a real restoration site along with a team of craftsmen experienced in this field and to contribute to the restoration of Bánffy Castle,
• to meet people from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, widening one’s understanding of the field through interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue.

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.

Practical information:
The camp takes place on the grounds of Bánffy Castle, Bonțida, Romania. Its duration is 14 days.

Registration details:
Participants can register online or through e-mail, by sending the completed form to the address: bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro.
Note: The number of available places is limited.

The registration fee is 450 euro per student (if payment is made prior to 2 February, a 10% discount will be applied, reducing the registration fee to 405 euro.) This fee represents the participants’ contribution towards tuition, accommodation and catering costs, all of which are provided on the castle grounds.

The deadline for application is 2 March 2024.

Full details of our trainings, camps and our work can be found at transylvaniatrust.ro. For further details please contact us at bhct@transylvaniatrust.ro.

This project is supported by the Romanian Order of Architects, from the architectural stamp duty, and by The King’s Foundation.

The post Call for Participants: Built Heritage Conservation Camp appeared first on BHCT.