The church is centuries old and looks like it belongs in a fairy tale.
Years of careful and loving restoration on the 14th century Saxon church have now been recognized at a European level.
The rehabilitation of the medieval Saxon Church in Alma Vii in Romania’s Transylvania region won Public Choice Award 2024 in a European Heritage Awards competition which was celebrated on Monday.
Organizers said “the impressive initiative” raised the largest number of votes, cast via an online poll of 10,000 in Europe.
Work on the Saxon Church of Alma Vii first began to in the 14th century.It is a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship in the picturesque village of Alma Vii. The fortress around it was constructed two centuries later and work continued until the 19th century.
The comprehensive restoration not only preserved the architectural and historical integrity of the church, but also strengthened the local community and promoted the development of sustainable tourism. The project, supported by the U.S. Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation and EEA Grants, was coordinated by the Mihai Eminescu Foundation.
Five other winners of the 2024 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, the highest heritage accolade in Europe, were celebrated in the Romanian capital on Monday evening.
This year’s European Heritage Awards Ceremony was co-hosted by Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra.
Some 800 heritage professionals, volunteers, enthusiasts and supporters from across Europe joined the ceremony at the Athenaeum in Bucharest. Among the guests of honor were presidential adviser Sergiu Nistor; Culture Minister,Raluca Turcan, and Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan.
The Awards Ceremony was the largest event of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024, which is taking place in Bucharest from 6 to 8 October. It is organized by Europa Nostra and co-funded by the Creative Europe Program of the European Union, the Bucharest Summit is held under the High Patronage of the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
The five laureates of the Grand Prix and the winner of the Public Choice Award for 2024 – which receive a monetary award of €10,000 each – were announced at the ceremony. The Grand Prix winners were selected from among this year’s 26 winners from 18 European countries by the Board of Europa Nostra, based on the recommendation of an independent jury of experts.
The five laureates of the Grand Prix 2024 are:
Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Akhieli, GEORGIA
Grand Prix winner in category Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising
Over three years, 46 Georgian and international citizens worked alongside technical experts and traditional craftspeople to restore the Tsiskarauli Tower. The project raised awareness of the value of Georgian heritage within Europe’s heritage. The International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) was the lead partner, working in close collaboration with the National Trust of Georgia, REMPART (France) and the Chudow Castle Foundation (Poland). The project was supported by a grant from ALIPH – the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas.
Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, IRELAND
Grand Prix winner in category Education, Training & Skills
The main objective of this nationwide scheme is to help farmers recognize the cultural value of traditional farm buildings. Participants are supported in acquiring skills to enable them to carry out repairs to return the buildings to functional use. Over 1,000 buildings have been repaired since the creation of the scheme in 2008. Established by The Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine of the Government of Ireland, the scheme is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union under Ireland’s Rural Development Program.
Saxon Church in Alma Vii, ROMANIA
Grand Prix winner in category Conservation & Adaptive Reuse
This project restored a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship in the picturesque village of Alma Vii in Transylvania. The comprehensive restoration not only preserved the church’s architectural and historical integrity but also empowered the local community and fostered sustainable tourism development. The project, supported by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and the EEA Grants, was coordinated by Mihai Eminescu Trust.
Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, CROATIA
Grand Prix winner in category Heritage Champions
This civil society association has financed and completed research and conservation projects of Dubrovnik’s landmarks, including the City’s Walls, since 1952. The Society was closely involved with the inclusion of the Old City of Dubrovnik on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Ever since, it has played a vital role in ensuring the safeguarding and enhancement of this exceptional site.
Ignacy Historic Mine, Rybnik, POLAND
Grand Prix winner in category Conservation & Adaptive Reuse
This is a unique renovation project on the site of a former coal mine, one of the oldest in Poland, which was founded in 1792 and was in operation for over 200 years. Thanks to the efforts of the former miners, the City of Rybnik, the Polish state and EU funds, the complex has been saved and adapted to new functions as a cultural and recreational center.
Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, stated: “Cultural heritage is the foundation of Europe’s identity and diversity. I warmly congratulate the winners of the 2024 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards on their extraordinary achievements. They are a testament to the power of heritage to inspire innovation, foster community engagement and support sustainable development across our continent. These projects showcase the importance of safeguarding our shared cultural legacy while adapting it to the challenges of the future, for the benefit of future generations.”
Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, said: “I am delighted to be in Bucharest for this evening of celebration of the best heritage projects and the most inspiring heritage champions – both individuals and organisations – from across Europe. The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 vividly showcase the multiple values of heritage for Europe’s society, environment and economy. Cultural heritage is a precious resource that must be carefully managed, so that we can reap its many benefits, for both present and future generations. My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, particularly to the laureates of the Grand Prix and the winner of the Public Choice Award”.
The European Heritage Awards Ceremony featured live musical performances by the Romanian symphonic ensemble Violoncellissimo, led by Prof. Marin Cazacu. The ceremony takes place annually in the frame of the European Cultural Heritage Summit. Co-funded by the European Union, the Bucharest Summit is organized by Europa Nostra in close cooperation with the Culture Ministry, the City of Bucharest, the Romanian Order of Architects, Pro Patrimonio Foundation, Monumentum Association, Association ARA – Architecture. Restoration. Archeology, ARCHÉ Association, and many other cultural heritage organizations and partners, both public and private.
