Architectural monument Foundation to give Köniz Castle a new lease of life
The municipality of Köniz and the Evangelical-Reformed parish of Köniz are establishing the Köniz Castle Foundation, which will look after the castle in future and give it a new lease of life, the municipality has announced.
04.07.2024, 10:56
SDA
The five buildings Ritterhuus, Chornhuus, Haberhuus, Schlossschüür and Rossstall as well as the castle park are to be transferred to the foundation under building rights. The municipality of Köniz is contributing 4.5 million Swiss francs to the foundation's capital for the establishment and development phase of the foundation, as detailed in a press release on Thursday.
The municipality is also investing 3.5 million francs in the renovation of the Ritterhuus. Due to the proximity in time and content of the two transactions, they have been combined into one bill, the press release added. Parliament will discuss them in August. If it approves the deal, the voters of Köniz will vote on it in November 2024.
The foundation could then be established in December and commence operations at the beginning of 2025. The building rights would be transferred to the foundation on January 1, 2025. The associations Kulturhof Schloss Köniz, Schulmuseum Bern and Musikschule Köniz, which are active in the castle, would remain active.
Refurbishment is essential
The structural condition of the buildings is poor and some are in serious need of renovation, the statement continued. The renovation of the premises is therefore essential for the further development of the castle. The municipality of Köniz already has a lot of catching up to do in terms of investment in education and other infrastructure. It is therefore unrealistic that it will be able to afford the investments that would be necessary for the castle in the coming years.
The foundation has the opportunity to generate private and public funds for the castle that the municipality does not have access to. The foundation is tax-exempt and has a mixed public and charitable purpose, according to the statement.
According to the municipality, the castle is a "place that creates identity". The aim of the foundation's further development is "a social meeting place with a rich cultural, socio-cultural, religious and social offering for the general public".
