Winners celebrate their European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2025 across Europe
Between June and December, 23 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2025 hosted special events in their towns and cities to celebrate their outstanding achievements at local and national levels.
We invite you to embark on a journey across Europe and get a glimpse of the wonderful ceremonies organised by these proud winners of our Awards: Tower Roof of the Church of St. Mauritius, Spitz an der Donau, Austria; The Heritage Trees Project, Belgium; Antwerp City Hall, Belgium; The Art of Protecting Bedechka, Bulgaria; Nicosia Old Municipal Market, Cyprus; Baltic Sea 3D Wrecksite Ontology, Finland; European Heritage Volunteers Programme, Germany; Peter Latz, Germany; Kambones 1615 Historic House, Naxos, Greece; Inge Bisgaard, Greenland/Denmark; School of Arts and Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Holy See; Odeuropa, Netherlands / France / Germany / Italy / Slovenia / United Kingdom; Varvara Buzilă, Moldova; Małopolska Culture Heritage Days, Poland; Almalaguês – Weaving the Future from the Tapestry of Time, Coimbra, Portugal; National Museum of Resistance and Freedom – Peniche Fortress, Portugal; “Saber Fazer” Programme, Portugal; Hedgehog’s Home – Imagining a Better World project, Belgrade, Serbia; Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain; IS-LE: Islamic Legacy, pan-European project coordinated in Spain; Pro Monumenta – Preventive Maintenance of Monuments, Slovakia; The Camellia House, Wentworth Woodhouse, United Kingdom; and All Together Festival, Kyiv, Ukraine.
June
Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid, SPAIN
On 18 June, the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, unveiled the Award bronze plaque granted to the restoration of the Puerta de Alcalá. He was accompanied by Marta Rivera de la Cruz, Delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sports; district councillors Andrea Levy and Cayetana Hernández de la Riva; and Luis Cueto Ferrándiz, Vice-President of Hispania Nostra.
The Mayor described the Award as a “historic recognition” of the restoration of “one of Madrid’s most iconic monuments,” calling it “a tribute to our history and our future”. He highlighted that “the gate shines again” thanks to “an extremely complex technical project,” and celebrated Madrid as “a model of best practices in heritage management at the European level.”
Speaking on behalf of Hispania Nostra and Europa Nostra, Luis Cueto Ferrándiz praised the project’s rigorous historical research, comprehensive studies, and exemplary public engagement through the “Open for Restoration” plan.
The Art of Protecting Bedechka, Stara Zagora, BULGARIA
A major moment for cross-border civil society collaboration in cultural and natural heritage took place on 20 June in Stara Zagora, where our Athens Heritage Hub represented Europa Nostra at the local award ceremony for The Art of Protecting Bedechka. The Award was presented by Stavroula Thravalou, Coordinator of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Athens, during the vibrant Green On Festival, held as part of a concert by the renowned Bulgarian artist Stefan Valdobrev.
During the visit to the Bedechka Park, Parvan Simeonov, Co-founder of the Save Bedechka Association, and Mircho Hristov of the On The Street Art Collective, shared the ongoing initiatives to safeguard the park and its wider heritage. The event concluded with a festive celebration and further musical performances.
Pro Monumenta – Preventive Maintenance of Monuments, SLOVAKIA
On 24 June, the Pro Monumenta – Preventive Maintenance of Monuments initiative was honoured at a special ceremony at the headquarters of the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava. The celebration was preceded by a seminar and attended by prominent figures, including Radim Dvořák, acting Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia, and Ľubica Emmerová, Vice Head of the EEA Grants section at the Ministry of Informatisation and Regional Development.
In her address, Ľubica Emmerová described the Award as “the best start for a new chapter in the preventive maintenance system of monuments through the upcoming Pro Monumenta III.” Petr Svoboda, Vice-President of Europa Nostra, emphasised the symbolic significance of the Award, “highly regarded in the community of people who care for cultural heritage across Europe.”
Speeches were also delivered by Katarína Kosová, former Director General of the Monuments Office, and Mário Comisso, current Director General.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque now displayed on the “Wall of Glory” at the Monuments Board headquarters.
July
Prof. em. Peter Latz, GERMANY
On 14 July, Uwe Koch, Council Member of Europa Nostra and President of Europa Nostra Germany, and Claus-Peter Echter, Council Member of Europa Nostra and Board Member of Europa Nostra Germany, paid tribute to Professor Peter Latz at his residence in Kranzberg.
Peter Latz has been a pioneering figure in the fields of industrial heritage and landscape architecture in Europe. Through his landmark projects, writings, and advocacy, he has shown how history, ecology, and design can transform post-industrial landscapes into spaces of cultural and civic renewal.
During the ceremony, which included a tour of his office and garden, the Award bronze plaque was presented to Professor Latz in celebration of the achievements of a lifetime. The ceremony was attended by colleagues and members of the Latz family.
Almalaguês – Weaving the Future from the Tapestry of Time, Coimbra, Portugal
On 14 July, a ceremony was held at the Almalaguês Parish Council building to celebrate the Almalaguês – Weaving the Future from the Tapestry of Time project. The celebration brought together the Almalaguês weavers’ community, project partners, cultural heritage professionals and university professors, who have been researching Coimbra weaving traditions.
José Manuel Silva, Mayor of Coimbra City Council, António Coelho, President of the Almalaguês Parish Council, and Ana Bastos, Councillor of Coimbra City Council, attended the event and delivered speeches on behalf of the institutions that have played a key role in the development of the project.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque, now symbolically displayed on the exterior of the Parish Council building, marking this important milestone in the preservation and celebration of local crafts and heritage.
August
The Heritage Trees Project, BELGIUM
On 26 August, The Heritage Trees Project organised a ceremony at the archaeological abbey site of Ename, which brought together representatives of institutions, policymakers, volunteers, and local communities.
David Coppens, Provincial Representative for Heritage, opened the event, followed by contributions from Daan Declercq, project coordinator, and Halewijn Missiaen, representing the Flemish Heritage Agency.
Gabrielle Bernoville, Policy Officer for Creative Europe, attended as a representative of the European Commission, highlighting the project’s role within the wider European heritage and cultural agenda.
Europa Nostra was represented by Paul Dujardin, Member of the European Heritage Awards Jury and President of Europa Nostra Belgium, who stated: “Each tree is a living archive — not only of genetic material, but of stories, emotions, and memories […] Trees are not mere decor: they are mirrors of our history, and anchors for our future.”
After the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque, the ceremony concluded with a symbolic gesture: children planted young trees, accompanied by a poem by Oudenaarde’s city poet, embodying the intergenerational transmission of care, knowledge and responsibility.
Antwerp City Hall, BELGIUM
The ceremony celebrating the Award for the restoration of Antwerp City Hall took place on 29 August. More than 50 participants, including city officials, architects, heritage professionals, and cultural actors, attended the event held within the newly renovated City Hall.
Els van Doesburg, acting mayor of Antwerp, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the symbolic and civic relevance of the City Hall for the life of the city. Architect René Van Poppel of HUB offered insights into the multi-layered restoration approach, explaining how the project carefully balanced historic continuity with modern functionality.
Arnoud Pasquali, Policy Officer for Creative Europe, intervened on behalf of the European Commission, putting the achievement in a broader European framework. Europa Nostra was represented by Paul Dujardin, Member of the European Heritage Awards Jury and President of Europa Nostra Belgium, who highlighted how heritage represents a cornerstone of democracy and civic life.
After the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque, participants were welcomed to a reception in the stately 19th-century rooms and invited to visit the restored areas.
September
Tower Roof of the Church of St. Mauritius, Spitz an der Donau, AUSTRIA
On 4 September, a local award ceremony was organised to celebrate the Award granted to the restoration of the Tower Roof of the Church of St. Mauritius. The event, held at the church’s premises, brought together around 180 participants, including cultural heritage professionals, local government representatives, members of the project team, and community members.
The ceremony opened with remarks by the Mayor of Spitz, Andreas Nunzer, followed by Christian Wigand, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Austria, who spoke on behalf of the European Commission. Eugen Vaida, Member of the European Heritage Awards Jury, represented Europa Nostra. Nina Kallina from the Department of Culture of the Province of Lower Austria (Land Niederösterreich) and Alois Schwarz, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Pölten also attended the event.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque on the parish church, accompanied by the presentation of keepsakes made from the restored Tower Roof. The ceremony concluded with musical performances.
Baltic Sea 3D Wrecksite Ontology, FINLAND
More than 70 people, mainly professionals and scholars from the underwater cultural heritage sector, alongside volunteers, attended the local award ceremony for the Baltic Sea 3D Wrecksite Ontology project on 13 September.
Held during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Finnish Maritime Archaeological Society, the event began with a thematic seminar led by renowned professors and local policy officers. The ceremony then continued as an itinerant procession through Suomenlinna, joined by locals and tourists, culminating at Bastion Zander for the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque.
Tapani Mustonen, Board Member of Europa Nostra and President of Europa Nostra Finland, attended the event. “It’s impossible to imagine a better place for the Award plaque,” highlighting that “in this very place our national cultural heritage greets the European cultural connections — typically arriving via the sea routes,” he stated.
Markku Luoto, Chair of the Board of the Maritime Archaeological Society, emphasised the importance of the Award as recognition of the dedication and commitment of all volunteers involved.
All Together Festival, Kyiv, UKRAINE
The Award granted to the All Together Festival from Ukraine was celebrated on 19 September, coinciding with the inauguration of the new edition of the Festival. Held at Mystetskyi Arsenal, the renewed festival offered a rich programme of interactive stands, creative workshops, literary activities, and performative and art events, all designed to engage audiences of all ages, including teenagers.
Europa Nostra was represented by its Vice-President Natalia Moussienko, who emphasised that “cultural heritage is not only a tool but also a vital element of cultural diplomacy”.
More than 60 people attended the ceremony, among them representatives of museums and organisations from across Ukraine participating in the Festival. Distinguished guests included Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta, Director General of Mystetskyi Arsenal; Halyna Hryhorenko, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications; and Mykola Ulyanov, Head of Creative Europe Desk Ukraine.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque and a visit to the Festival and its exhibitors’ stands.
Inge Bisgaard, GREENLAND / DENMARK
In the evocative setting of Hans Egedeshus in Nuuk, Greenland, Inge Bisgaard was joined by around 35 guests to celebrate her European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award on 26 September.
Wearing traditional costume for this special occasion, Inge Bisgaard emphasised the significance of the Award, noting its ability to “draw national and international attention to Greenland’s building heritage, highlighting its importance not only for memories, but also for future development and tourism.”
Europa Nostra was represented by Ettie Castenskiold, who — due to severe weather conditions — was unable to travel to Nuuk but addressed the audience online.
Among the distinguished guests from the cultural sector were Daniel Thorleifsen, Director of the Greenland National Museum & Archives; Line Hasselriis, Head of Section at the Ministry of Education, Church, Culture and Gender Equality; and Thomas Riis, Member of the Greenland Heritage Council.
The Award bronze plaque was presented to Inge the following day during a celebratory dinner with Ettie Castenskiold.
Varvara Buzilă, MOLDOVA
On the same day, and in the framework of the European Heritage Days, a ceremony was held to celebrate Varvara Buzilă. Hosted at the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History of Chisinau, the event also marked the presentation of Varvara’s latest book, “The Village Museum from Chisinau”.
Around 40 guests attended the celebration, including the Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan, and the Secretary of State, Vlad Vornic. Minister Prodan underlined that the Europa Nostra Award given to Varvara Buzilă adds an important achievement to the Republic of Moldova’s cultural record, strengthening its image as a European nation and confirming its place among the countries contributing to the European Union’s shared heritage. The national television covered the event.
“I decided to donate the Europa Nostra Award to the Museum. I worked here for 45 years, and this is where I developed as a specialist,” Varvara stated, honouring the institution that shaped her lifelong dedication to heritage.
The Award bronze plaque was unveiled during the ceremony and now is displayed at the main entrance of the Museum.
October
The Camellia House, Wentworth Woodhouse, UNITED KINGDOM
The restoration of the Grade II* Camellia House in the gardens of the Rotherham mansion was named as the UK’s only winner in the Europa Nostra Awards 2025. The Camellia House is home to one of the oldest surviving collections of camellias, which were brought from China 150 years ago.
On 24 October, members of a Chinese community group were thrilled to attend the local award ceremony for The Camellia House and see their native blooms. Presenting the Europa Nostra Award in the category of Conservation and Adaptive Reuse, Europa Nostra Board Member Graham Bell praised Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and its team for their ‘gumption’.
The Camellia House was a roofless wreck on the Heritage At Risk register before its 2024 restoration. The £5million restoration was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and other contributors and carried out by heritage architects Donald Insall Associates. The building is now a public tearoom and cultural venue, and a model of sustainable design in historic buildings.
Kambones 1615 Historic House, Naxos, GREECE
On 25 October in Naxos, the restoration of the Kambones 1615 Historic House was celebrated with a special ceremony. Around 60 guests gathered at the former Venetian tower house for an event hosted by Elliniki Etairia – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, Europa Nostra’s Country Representation in Greece.
Lydia Karras, President of Elliniki Etairia, underlined the significance of restoring monuments and the environmental value of respectful adaptive reuse. Yiannis Margaritis, Prefect of Naxos, Dimitris Lianos, Mayor of Naxos, and former Minister of Culture Elisavet Papazoi addressed the audience.
Architects Maria Magnisali and Themistoclis Bilis presented the restoration process, which combined traditional techniques and original materials, restoring functionality without altering the house’s historic structure. The ceremony was enriched by displays of local products, folk art, music – including a piano performance – and an exhibition of traditional embroidery.
The event concluded with the symbolic presentation of the Award bronze plaque, followed by a garden luncheon celebrating local cuisine.
School of Arts and Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Holy See
On 29 October, representatives of Europa Nostra visited the School of Arts and Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican, a winner of the 2025 Europa Nostra Awards in the category Education, Training and Skills. The Secretary General of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, was accompanied by Paolo Vitti, Board Member of Europa Nostra, and Silvia Costa, former Member of the European Parliament.
Yesterday our Secretary General @SneskaEN visited the School of Arts & Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter at the Vatican️, winner of a Europa Nostra Award 2025. #CulturalHeritage #Restoration pic.twitter.com/srGcj3wszG
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) October 30, 2025
During the visit, the delegation met with Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Arciprete of St. Peter’s Basilica and President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, Father Francesco Occhetta, Director of the School, and Gloria Amaduzzi, Deputy Director, to discuss the School’s work and its newly launched edition. The delegation also met the students of this year’s class, alongside Professor Pietro Zander, Archaeologist and Head of the Necropoli e Beni Artistici section of the Fabbrica.
The six-month programme brings together 20 young students aged 20 to 25, offering them a unique opportunity to learn from the Basilica’s master artisans and acquire vital restoration skills across multiple disciplines.
Małopolska Culture Heritage Days, POLAND
On 29 October, during this year’s Małopolska Region Forum for Heritage Protection, the local award ceremony for the Małopolska Cultural Heritage Days took place. Around 300 guests, including cultural heritage professionals and community members, attended the event held at the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków. Among the distinguished guests were Monika Gubała, Director of the Department of Culture and National Heritage of the Małopolska Region Office; Katarzyna Urbańska, Małopolska Region Conservator of Monuments; and Andrzej Siwek, Deputy Director of the National Heritage Institute.
Europa Nostra was represented by Professor Jacek Purchla, Vice-President, together with Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, Board Member, and Katarzyna Jagodzińska, Head of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub for Central and Eastern Europe in Kraków. In his address, Professor Purchla emphasised the crucial role of the Małopolska Cultural Heritage Days in fostering local awareness and reconnecting communities with their heritage, particularly given the historical upheavals the region has endured.
The Award plaque was presented to Tomasz Włodarski, Director of the Małopolska Institute of Culture, who expressed his gratitude to all organisers, volunteers, and professionals whose dedication have made the Cultural Heritage Days possible.
November
Tribute to the winners from Portugal
The 2025 winners from Portugal were celebrated at a special event held on 1 November at the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, which brought together some 300 people, both in person and online.
The National Museum of Resistance and Freedom – Peniche Fortress, winner in the Category Conservation & Adaptive Reuse, was presented by João Barros Matos, Architect and Project Leader. The Peniche Fortress, one of the main political prisons during the dictatorship in Portugal, has hosted the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom since 2024. Through careful adaptation and civic engagement, the site has fully engaged visitors with the values of liberty and democracy.
The “Saber Fazer” Programme, winner in the Category Education, Training & Skills, was introduced by Américo Rodrigues, Directorate-General for the Arts. “Saber Fazer” is Portugal’s national strategy for the safeguarding of traditional crafts and skills. It promotes knowledge transfer, sustainability and territorial cohesion by bridging urban-rural divides – turning ancestral techniques into tools for cultural and economic resilience.
The project Almalaguês – Weaving the Future from the Tapestry of Time, Coimbra, winner in the Category Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising, was outlined by Maria Carlos Pêgo, Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Municipality of Coimbra. This project has revitalised the traditional weaving of the village of Almalaguês, engaging local communities and younger generations through workshops, research and cultural events.
Odeuropa, NETHERLANDS / FRANCE / GERMANY / ITALY / SLOVENIA / UNITED KINGDOM
On 13 November, the international research project Odeuropa celebrated its Award at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in Amsterdam. The event opened with a presentation of the project.
Elena Bianchi, Programme Manager of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, represented Europa Nostra. She highlighted how the project makes it possible to “smell” history through a deeply humanistic use of artificial intelligence and new tools to capture, analyse, and even recreate the scents that shaped our collective past.
Maximilian Voigt, Policy Officer for Cultural Heritage and International Relations at Creative Europe, praised the project’s capacity to engage otherwise marginalised audiences, allowing them to connect with the past in a personal and accessible way, and reminding all that culture belongs to everyone.
The Award bronze plaque was presented to the project director, accompanied by a smell sample representing Amsterdam. The celebrations continued with olfactory learning activities and playful scent games and concluded with a festive reception.
December
Hedgehog’s Home – Imagining a Better World project, Belgrade, Serbia
On 8 December, the Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade hosted the local award ceremony for its project Hedgehog’s Home – Imagining a Better World, which won a 2025 European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award and the 2025 Grand Prix in the category Citizens’ Engagement and Awareness-raising, jointly presented by the European Commission and Europa Nostra on 13 October in Brussels.
The Awards bronze plaque was presented to the exhibition’s authors in Belgrade by Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra, also on behalf of the European Commission. The event featured a video message from Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, who co-hosted the European Heritage Awards Ceremony in Brussels, where all of the laureates were celebrated.
In the video message congratulating the Hedgehog’s Home project’s creators and underlining the importance of making cultural heritage accessible to young people, Commissioner Micallef stated: “By working with children and by bringing together artists, educators, and psychologists, you created a space where memory becomes imagination — a space where heritage becomes a shared act of creation. Projects like this remind us why cultural heritage matters. It strengthens our sense of belonging, and it gives young people the means to imagine a future grounded in respect, in empathy, and in curiosity.”
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra, added: “In a time of insecurity, fear, and uncertainty, the exhibition Hedgehog’s Home – Imagining a Better World placed the poetry of Branko Ćopić at the heart of our reflection about home and shared values. With modest resources but great soul, imagination, and creativity, its team succeeded in moving generations and reminding us that this is, in fact, a subversive project of hope for this region and for all of Europe.”
The ceremony was led by the Museum’s Director, Neda Knežević. At the end of the ceremony, the Museum of Yugoslavia awarded certificates of appreciation to collaborators who contributed to the project’s success.
