Ceremony for the International Summer School on Historic Masonry Structures (HIMASS) held at Roma Tre University, Italy
The ceremony marking the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2026 for the International Summer School on Historic Masonry Structures – HIMASS took place on 23 June at the Department of Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Aeronautical Technology of Roma Tre University, Italy. The Award plaque was presented to the representatives of the programme by Vito Borrelli, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Italy, together with Paolo Vitti, Board Member of Europa Nostra, and Alessandra Vittorini, Jury Member of the Awards.
More than 50 participants, including professionals, researchers and scholars from the field of engineering, attended the event, which opened with remarks from representatives of national and international institutions based in Rome. Among the speakers were Massimiliano Fiorucci, Rector of Roma Tre University – one of the partners of the Summer School; Simone Bozzato, President of DTC Lazio; and Elisabetta Pallottino, President of ARCo.
The opening speeches highlighted the essential connection between engineering and cultural heritage, emphasising the importance of an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to understanding what should be preserved and identifying the most appropriate methods for its conservation. This transversal perspective was recognised as increasingly relevant in addressing the complex challenges facing heritage today.
Vito Borrelli underlined the fundamental role of cultural heritage in contemporary society, describing it as a powerful force capable of bringing people together and creating meaningful connections. He highlighted how HIMASS embodies these values by fostering exchanges among young professionals and establishing a community of practice around essential heritage skills. “Cultural heritage reminds us what we have in common, especially in difficult times and amidst today’s challenges,” he stated.
Paolo Vitti emphasised the role of HIMASS in promoting cooperation, knowledge exchange and shared values through education and training.
Representing the Awards’ Jury, Alessandra Vittorini highlighted the importance of investing in knowledge and practical skills: “Studying historic structures and preserving skills coming from direct observation and hands-on practice is a crucial investment for our future.”
The ceremony also welcomed former participants of the Summer School, who shared their experience and reflected on the impact of HIMASS not only on their technical knowledge, but also on their professional development.
The morning programme concluded with two keynote lectures, entitled “Rethinking Construction: Learning from the Past to Design a Better Future” by Philippe Block, ETH Zurich, and “Design and Equilibrium of Gothic Cathedrals” by Santiago Huerta, TU Madrid. Both lectures explored the dialogue between historical knowledge, structural innovation and contemporary approaches to conservation.
In the afternoon, participants engaged in an interactive debate and panel discussion on the theme “Engineering for Cultural Heritage: What Future Perspectives?”. The session featured short presentations by professionals addressing key approaches, opportunities and challenges for the future of heritage engineering. The discussion was moderated by Maurizio Angelillo, Professor at the University of Salerno.
