The Convent of the Capuchos hosted the reception ceremony for the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2022

On Tuesday morning, 4 October, a ceremony was held at the Convent of the Capuchos to receive the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2022, in the category of Conservation and Adaptive Reuse, which distinguished the restoration project carried out by Parques de Sintra at the convent.

Sofia Cruz, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Parques de Sintra and hostess of the ceremony, highlighted the complexity of this restoration process which required "a specific methodology associated with an intervention model and a maintenance plan capable of safeguarding the Convent of the Capuchos into the future." The Europa Nostra Award distinguished this rigorous safeguarding of the identity of the space, which was only possible "thanks to the commitment of Parques da Sintra employees."

For her part, Maria Calado, Chairwoman of the National Centre of Culture, stated that "the restoration of the Convent of the Capuchos changed the paradigm in how we manage the communion between nature and heritage." She added: "the international praise that the project has received is the best testament to the vision and excellence of the work developed here." Also present was Guilherme d'Oliveira Martins, who chairs the Grand Council/Arts Council of the National Centre for Culture, and Basílio Horta, Mayor of Sintra, who reminded those in attendance that "to preserve our heritage is to safeguard memory and is a duty of all nations." Congratulating all the company's employees for their work, he also stressed that the "municipality of Sintra is honoured to host a great company like Parques de Sintra."

The ceremony was followed by a visit to the Convent of the Capuchos to present the conservation and restoration intervention carried out at the monument to the guests.

In late June, the European Commission and Europa Nostra announced the winners of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards 2022, funded by the European Union's Creative Europe programme. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the most prestigious European awards in the field of heritage, with 18 European countries awarded for 30 outstanding projects in this area. In the gallery of honour of winners in 2022 is the restoration project for the Convent of the Capuchos.