Hispania Nostra

**Hispania Nostra** is a non-profit Spanish organisation founded in 1976. It works to protect, promote, and value Spain’s cultural and natural heritage, seeing it as a source of social and economic development.

## History

Hispania Nostra started in 1976 during the European Architectural Heritage Year, inspired by Europa Nostra, which encourages citizens to help preserve historical art and architecture. In 1978, the group began managing Spanish entries for the Europa Nostra Awards. Queen Sofía became honorary president, and today Queen Letizia holds that role.

## Mission and work

Hispania Nostra is officially recognised as publicly useful. It encourages people to join in preserving, conserving, and enjoying their cultural and natural heritage. Its work includes:
- Watching heritage at risk
- Promoting good conservation practices
- Involving citizens and institutions
- Educating people about the value of heritage

## Programmes and projects

The organisation runs many programmes, including:
- Red List, marking monuments in danger
- Micro-funding, small-scale donations for projects
- Hispania Nostra Awards for best heritage practices
- Forum for Associations and Cultural Managers
- Congress and Meetings on heritage topics
- Excursions and educational visits
- Hispania Nostra at Home, online events during COVID-19
- Publications and magazines

## Associations network

Since 1978, Hispania Nostra has held annual meetings bringing together other heritage groups from across Spain. It offers these groups a web platform to share their activities. The network now includes over 780 partner associations, spanning every regional community of Spain. This national network aims to grow to include European and Ibero-American cultural organisations.

## International work

Hispania Nostra is connected with Europa Nostra and promotes Spain's heritage abroad, especially in Hispanic America. It works with universities, cultural institutions, and governments. The organisation has started expanding to countries such as Mexico and the United States, and encourages more global membership.

## Awards and recognition

Spain is the third country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and has many awards from Europa Nostra. Hispania Nostra celebrates this by awarding:
- Restoration of Teatro Carlos III, Madrid, 1979
- Roman walls of Lugo, 1980
- Historic Covarrubias urban centre, 1978
- Tower of Beltrán de la Cueva, Cantabria, 1978

In recent years, it has continued honouring significant restoration projects like the 2025 award for the Church of San Nicolás in Valencia.

## Red List of Endangered Heritage

The "Red List" highlights 62 endangered sites in Spain. It calls attention to their poor condition and the need for rescue. Hispania Nostra maintains entries like the Palacio Escoriaza-Esquivel in Vitoria and other neglected heritage structures.

## Notable recent projects

In 2025, the restoration of the Salinas de Marchamalo in Cartagena received an award for its integration of cultural and natural heritage and social benefit.

In early 2025, the Venta del Pinar de San Clemente, an 18th‑century building, was included in the Red List. The goal is to preserve it and consider its use as rural tourism.

## Other websites

- Official website