Rubens House wins 2020 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards with its restored portico and garden pavilion

The 2020 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards saw the Rubens House honoured with one of the world’s most renowned heritage prizes for the restoration of its portico and garden pavilion. The Rubens House was one of 21 heritage institutions to be recognized. The jury commended not only the restoration of these features – the only remaining architectural elements by Rubens himself – but also the design and the installation of the glass canopy. Members of the public are invited to vote online to help the Rubens House collect the Public Choice Award too.

The restoration of the portico and the garden pavilion at the Rubens House was announced as one of the winners in the ‘Conservation’ category of the ‘2020 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards’. Together with twenty-one prize-winners from 15 European countries in six different categories the Rubens House was recognized for this year’s awards. The restored portico and garden pavilion won in the most sought-after category, together with other institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest (Hungary) and the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L’Aquila (Italy).

The jury commended not only the restoration of these features – the only remaining architectural elements by Rubens himself – but also the design and the installation of the glass canopy. The Rubens House is honoured to receive this international award. The museum worked for several years with numerous experts to prepare for the restoration of the portico and garden pavilion, before meticulously carrying out the works. The results of the restoration are stunning, further highlighting Rubens’ architectural skills. The ‘2020 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards’ pay tribute to this long-term project and recognize the highly skilled and patient work of the conservators.

The Public Choice Award too?

Heritage lovers can cast their vote at https://vote.europanostra.org/ for their favourite prize-winners to decide which organization will receive this year’s Public Choice Award. The winner will be announced after the summer and will receive a cash prize of 10,000 euros.

 

The Rubens House is closed at present to combat the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Online visits are still possible via www.rubenshuis.be.