It is necessary to extend the deadline for the reconstruction of King Nikola's castle on Topolica in Bar, in order to enable a high-quality and careful renovation of the castle, according to the announcement of the Municipality of Bar.
According to them, extending the deadline will allow the necessary time for additional analysis of the newly discovered condition and determination of adequate conservation measures, "with optimal performance of works, at the highest level of quality and with full respect for the authenticity of the object."
"Works on the reconstruction and implementation of conservation measures at the castle of King Nikola on Topolica in Bar were started on November 7, 2023, based on the contract for the execution of works between the Municipality of Bar and the contractor "KOTO" DOO BG. The deadline for the completion of the works provided for in the main conservation project, created by the licensed company RESTARTING doo from Budva, and the mentioned contract is for 9 months, i.e., on August 07, 8," the announcement reads.
They pointed out that such complex and extensive interventions were not carried out at the castle of King Nikola after the rehabilitation of the consequences of the 1979 earthquake.
"During the implementation of conservation measures, i.e., performing conservation-restoration works, with a careful and responsible approach to the Castle building - an immovable cultural asset of national importance, the contractor discovered significant findings that were not possible to see during the development phase of the main project. The newly discovered state is documented and elaborated through 15 expert reports, submitted to the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Montenegro, in order to collect guidelines and consent for further adequate implementation of conservation and rehabilitation measures," it added.
They emphasized that the above-mentioned findings will be an integral part of the amended main conservation project, as well as, as they stated, the interior design project of King Nikola's castle, the development of which is underway.
"Analysis of statics and construction (roof structure, mezzanine ceilings, load-bearing and partition walls), analyzes of the found state of the facade and research of the original layers, analysis of facade joinery (degree of damage, type of wood, appearance and dimensions of profiles, typology of locks, interventions made during exploitation of the building, etc.), analysis of found and newly discovered floor coverings from a later period (materialization, dimensions, joints). It is important to emphasize that most of the new data was discovered only when the restoration work began, i.e. removing layers of paint from the walls and carpentry. , i.e. layers of floor coverings," said the Municipality of Bar.
They clarified that the more significant findings are related to the discovery of the color of the non-wall decoration, which, as they said, permeates all floors of the building.
"In some cases, the wall is separated from the ceiling by a wide strip. The existence of a plinth is noticeable, which changed its height and tonality through different colored layers. Over time, other painting and decorative techniques were used. In some of the later layers, paper wallpaper was found and in some in the rooms, stencil painting of the walls is noticeable, with the help of rollers. The remains of this kind of wall decoration are well preserved in certain positions," they said.
They pointed out that all painting-conservation-restoration works will be carried out in accordance with modern principles of protection, with the use of high-quality, compatible materials and techniques, in accordance with the rules of the conservation profession, "with the engagement of an adequate professional workforce in order to ensure authenticity and preserve integrity of the object/cultural property, with the application of all conservation measures prescribed and approved by the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property."
"All the newly discovered situations in situ and the offered variant solutions for their conservation/restoration (through the aforementioned 15 expert studies) need to be analyzed and considered by the experts of the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Montenegro, so that this competent state body can give further guidelines and approvals for implementation of conservation measures on the building", they concluded.
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