Celebrating the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award for the Dome of Escuelas Pías, Valencia, Spain
On the evening of 2 October, the Church of Escuelas Pías in Valencia hosted a celebration of the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2026 received for the restoration of its remarkable dome.
The restoration revitalised the monumental 18th-century dome, addressing critical structural damage, renewing its distinctive tiled covering and reopening the lantern. Combining in-depth research, traditional craftsmanship and advanced monitoring techniques, the project has safeguarded this architectural landmark while ensuring that its heritage and conservation knowledge can be passed on to future generations.
Representing Europa Nostra, Vanessa Fraga Prol, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager, praised the project as an exemplary combination of technological innovation and conservation principles. “The restoration of the Dome of the Church of Escuelas Pías reminds us that conservation means understanding its materials and history, respecting traditional craftsmanship, incorporating appropriate innovation and ensuring that knowledge can be passed on to future generations,” she underlined.
Luis Cortés-Meseguer, Project Coordinator at the Universitat Politècnica de València, also addressed the audience. Santiago Tormo, Susana Martínez and Pep Pardo, members of the restoration project team, as well as representatives of Escuelas Pías and Hispania Nostra participated in the ceremony.
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Award plaque by Vanessa Fraga Prol, together with Luis Cortés-Meseguer, the Director of the Real Colegio de las Escuelas Pias, Francisco Alemany, and the Vice-President Hispania Nostra, Luis Cueto, marking the collective achievement behind the dome’s restoration.
The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by the youth quartet of Escuelas Pías, bringing the evening to a close in the very setting whose restored dome stands as a testament to the enduring value of combining scientific knowledge, traditional skills and care for architectural heritage.
The celebration took place within the framework of the 45th Forum of Cultural Associations and Heritage Managers in Valencia, organised by Hispania Nostra (Europa Nostra’s country representation in Spain), to mark its 50th anniversary.
