- We have started cooperation with the VÚB Bank Foundation, thanks to which we can gradually restore the churches of the Gothic Route. Last year, the restoration of the Church of All Saints in Henckovce led by Peter Mlích was completed. The inauguration of the restored church took place on 26 November. The restoration of the churches will continue this year.
- The restoration of the churches has also progressed thanks to your donatiosn of 2% from taxes and thanks to the Central European Foundation under the Owner in Need – Monument in Peril program (Vlastník v núdzi – pamiatka v ohrození). We co-financed the following projects: the static security of the Lutheran church in Hrachov, we supported the first stage of the restoration of the pulpit in the Lutheran church in Šivetice, the second stage of the restoration of the mortuary in the Lutheran church in Nižný Skálnik and the static security of the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Rakovnica. In addition, we also helped the owners with the preparation of applications for donations in the Renew Your House (Obnovme si svoj dom) programme.
- Thanks to our initiative and cooperation with the conservationists, the Lutheran church in Brádno became protected as a national cultural monument. We are going to on its restoration during the next year.
- The Gothic Route Association was also part of international cooperation this year: We presented the murals in the churches of Gemer and Malohont at a conference in Budapest, in the framework of Project RE: with the support of Creative Europe, we organized a workshop in Kameňany, where we carried out the landscaping of the church grounds under the guidance of landscape architect Michala Poláková and participants were taught how to prepare and apply lime plasters under the guidance of restorer Juraj Gregorek. We also participated in a workshop in Băile Herculane in Banat, Romania and in Idrija, Slovenia.
- During the summer season, thanks to the support of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region and Košice Self-Governing region, this year we again fulfilled our long-term goal of making the region’s most precious churches accessible to the general public during fixed opening hours. We are grateful for the high level of public interest, but especially for the co-operation of the owners and the local enthusiasts who were in charge of opening and presenting of the churches.
- Our annual event Gothic Route Open was exceptionally renamed Gothic Route – Forgotten Heritage, during which we made accessible the most endangered or forgotten monuments of Gemer and Malohont. Fans of monuments could visit the Leváre Spa, the Lutheran church in Hostišovce with a lecture on the cultural landscape presented by Laco Bíro, the forgotten Lutheran church in Brádno, the church of The Reformed Church in Zacharovce, the torso of the church of The Reformed Church in Kesovce with an installation by the artist Kristýna Kerekešová and the evening concert of the chanson singer Lucia Bujnova in Drienčany.
- We are pleased by the response to our activities in the media and at events. We have spoken at a lecture on the future of churches at the Dominicans Monastery in Prague, a discussion at the Festival Atmosféral, on Večera s Havranom in RTVS, on the podcast Cestujeme inak, and as a guest on Saturday’s Dobré ráno.
- The Gothic Route was awarded The Prize of Professor Martin Kusý by the Society of Slovak Architects in the category of popularization and presentation of architecture.
- Thank you to all of our collaborators and partners: VÚB bank, Banská Bystrica Region Tourism, Za horami, za dolami, Gemerský seniorát ECAV na Slovensku, Banská Bystrica Region, Monument Office of the Slovak Republic, Košice Region, Cultural-Creative Centre Kláštor, City of Rožňava, European Heritage Label, Bystriny, ECAV s tebou, Bishopric of Rožňava, Terra Incognita, Creative Europe, Society of Architects of Slovakia, Slovak National Museum of History, Museum Betliar: Betliar Manor House, Krásna Hôrka Castle
- Happy New Year 2025 with the Gothic Route!
