This is a must see: a new landmark will open in Central Park in New York

Belvedere Castle in New York's Central Park reopens on June 28 after a massive restoration, which took $ 12 million and 15 months to complete, reports AM New York.

Фото: Depositphotos

The three-story landmark, which stands on one of the highest points of Central Park, served as a viewing platform from the XIX century. But in its history, the castle was not once empty and vandalized, which prompted the management of Central Park to fully restore the landmark, but at the same time to preserve its original appearance.

“What was old is new again, and we've also recreated features that were lost for much of the last century,” said Chris Nolan, the reserve's chief landscape architect.

The construction crews completely cleaned and replaced the castle masonry, replaced the paving slabs with paving stones, as it was originally, replaced the doors and windows, and also restored two wooden pavilions.

On the subject: 12 fabulously beautiful waterfalls in New York, which are breathtaking

Also, waterproofing was installed on the entire building and the ecological geothermal system (with zero emissions, which adversely affect the ecological situation in the area where they are installed) for cooling and heating the castle.

According to Elizabeth Smith, president and CEO of the conservatory, making the castle more understandable to visitors is also part of the restoration plan. Plans were made available for visitors routes.

As conceived by the castle's creators, Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, it was to become an open-air observation deck for park and nature lovers to enjoy views of the green surroundings. The word "Belvedere" means "beautiful view" in Italian.

On the subject: What to do in New York on a rainy day: 11 interesting entertainment

Time brought many changes to the castle. In 1960 and 1970, the park's infrastructure collapsed due to neglect and vandalism. The graffiti-covered castle was closed to the public, and many of the original elements of the castle, such as wooden pavilions, were missing.

In 1980, the private non-profit company Central Park Conservancy took over the management of the park. Castle Belvedere updated, and he was again ready to receive visitors. But after almost 40 years, it was time to restore the building again.

One of the most important innovations of the restoration was the castle lighting. In the evening of June 27, for the first time in its history, the Belvedere Castle will be illuminated.

“The most beautiful place to see the castle lit up is on the other side of Turtle Pond,” Smith said. “All I can say is that you can light up the city center as much as you want, but nothing beats looking at the Belvedere at night.”

On the subject: Above the clouds: one of the most beautiful mountains in New York can now be reached by elevator

The castle will be open to the public from 9: 00 to 19: 00 daily until 28 in August and from 10: 00 to 17: 00 in autumn, winter and spring. Also on the Central Park website, a new tour appeared called “Belvedere: beautiful view”, in which visitors will be told the story of the creation of the castle, as well as the history of attempts to preserve and restore it.

“It’s like being on top of a mountain in the Adirondacks or the North Woods,” Chris Nolan said. “It gives people the opportunity, just steps from their apartments, to escape the world without having to get on a train or spend money to go somewhere.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

12 fabulously beautiful waterfalls in New York, which are breathtaking

8 natural pools in New York to help cool off in the heat of summer

What to do in New York on a rainy day: 11 interesting entertainment

Above the clouds: one of the most beautiful mountains in New York can now be reached by elevator

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.