The European Commission and Europa Nostra have announced the winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024, co-funded by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.

This year, the most prestigious European heritage awards are bestowed upon 26 remarkable winners from 18 countries across the continent (full list below).

Among this year's winners are two remarkable heritage projects from Romania:

1. The Saxon Church of Alma Vii

The project involved the restoration of a cultural landmark symbolizing centuries of history and craftsmanship in the picturesque village of Alma Vii in Transylvania. Through complex restoration works, not only was the architectural and historical integrity of the church preserved, but the local community was also empowered, thereby fostering sustainable tourism development.

2. St. Michael's Church, Cluj-Napoca

Located in the vibrant heart of the city, St. Michael's Church is a gem of European Gothic architecture. The church underwent extensive restoration between 2016 and 2022. Beyond exhaustive structural consolidations and facade restorations, the project also included interior redesign and modernization works.

The winners were selected by the Awards Jury, composed of 12 heritage experts from across Europe, following the evaluation of submissions by the Selection Committee. In total, 206 eligible nominations were submitted for this year's awards by organizations and individuals from 38 European countries.

Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, stated: "Our cultural heritage is our common wealth, a bridge connecting our past, present, and future. It holds a special place in our hearts and daily lives, fostering a sense of belonging and identity.

"The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards highlight the crucial role of exemplary projects and dedicated individuals in conserving and promoting our rich heritage. I warmly congratulate this year's winners for their exceptional achievements."

Cecilia Bartoli, world-renowned mezzo-soprano and President of Europa Nostra, declared:

"I wholeheartedly congratulate this year's winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards for their well-deserved recognition. By honoring these fantastic creative projects, we also demonstrate our exceptional commitment to safeguarding our common cultural heritage, which is vital for building a more united, sustainable, and beautiful Europe.

"May their inspirational examples be followed by many citizens – heritage professionals, volunteers, and enthusiasts – public organizations, and private companies across our continent and beyond."

The winners will be celebrated at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2024 on October 7 at the Romanian Athenaeum, the most prestigious concert hall in Bucharest, Romania, which recently received the European Heritage Label in recognition of its European significance.

This high-level event will be hosted by European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova and Europa Nostra Executive President Hermann Parzinger. During the ceremony, the Grand Prix laureates and the winner of the Public Choice Award, chosen from this year's winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, will be announced. Each winner will receive a prize of €10,000.

The ceremony is part of the important events of the European Heritage Summit 2024, which will take place from October 6-8 in Bucharest. The Summit, co-funded by the European Union, is organized by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with heritage organizations and partners, both public and private, in Romania.

Supporters and heritage enthusiasts are encouraged to discover the winners and vote online to decide who will win the 2024 Public Choice Award, which offers a prize of €10,000. Voting ends on September 22. (Photo: Our Team)