Spain has a lot of history to offer. That does not take long to uncover when visiting the country. Less well known is perhaps that Spain is at the forefront when it comes to preserving its heritage. Spain has won more prestigious European awards than any other country, and the projects range from reviving ancient craftsmanship techniques that can provide solutions to current challenges, to using advanced modern technology for conservation purposes. Until 5 September, you can vote for your favorites among 24 exciting conservation and dissemination projects – Find Your Spain presents the Spanish candidates for Europa Nostra’s «People’s Jury Prize».
Among this year’s 24 winners of the Europa Nostra award, as many as five were won by projects in Spain. The prize, which is supported by the EU, is awarded to projects that, in an excellent but quite different way, safeguard Europe’s common cultural heritage. This year was the 19th time the prize was awarded, no country has in these years run away with as many of the awards as Spain.
This year’s winners come from a total of 18 countries and include both individuals and large projects – from an almost 80-year-old Italian woman who makes the most exquisite lace, to a large-scale project to restore the park at Fredensborg Castle in Denmark. In 2021, Spain won awards in the categories Conservation, Research, Dedicated service and Education, training and awareness-raising. Among these winners, maybe you will find ideas for excursions to new places and destinations?
The Besòs water tower in Barcelona
Besò’s water tower, located in Barcelona’s traditional industrial area of Poblenou, was built in 1882 to secure the city’s drinking water supply. Just six years after its completion, the tower was incorporated into the Can Girona steelworks, better known by the company name MACOSA, a major manufacturer of train equipment such as locomotives and railcars.
But times are changing and industry and neighborhoods with them. In 1993, the company shut down operations and the steelworks was emptied before all the buildings except the water tower and an associated operating building were demolished three years later.
It would be another 14 years before anyone took the legacy of the industrial adventure seriously. In 2010, the project began, which was to transform a water tower into an art gallery and cultural center, while at the same time honoring the history of the steelworks and, not least, those who once worked there.
In addition to architects, historians and museum people, a collective of former steelworkers has contributed to the conservation work and influenced how Besòs water tower meets visitors. Here are choices of building materials that, despite their highly modern design, are reminiscent of the tower’s origins. The history of the place is also presented through oral stories from people who had their daily work at the steelworks.
You can read more about the project of taking care of and further developing the Besòs water tower here: https://www.torredelesaigues.cat/.
The People’s Jury: Vote for your favorites
But the last of the Europa Nostra Prizes for 2021 has not yet been awarded. Until 5 September 2021, you can help decide which of the 24 prize winners will be awarded the People’s Jury Prize for this year’s best European conservation project. You can find a presentation of the candidates and can vote here: https://vote.europanostra.org/.
You must vote on three projects, but only one from each country. You give three points to your favorite project, two to what you think is the second-best and one point to your third and final candidate. Following your vote on Europa Nostra’s website, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your vote. On 23 September, the winner of this year’s People’s Jury Prize will be announced. Do you have a Spanish favorite for this prize?
Find Your Spain!
Like this article? Please share it with your friends and family.
