The Bánffy Palace in Răscruci has secured the European Heritage Award – Europa Nostra 2026, standing as the sole Romanian project included in this year’s list of laureates. The distinction, awarded in the “Conservation & Adaptive Reuse” category, validates an €11.5 million investment by the Cluj County Council, which transformed the 19th-century noble residence into an active cultural center. The project successfully attracted approximately 10,000 visitors during 2025, demonstrating the potential of historical monuments to become drivers of rural development.
The restoration was selected from a total of 261 eligible entries from 40 European countries. The jury praised the integrated approach of the intervention, which aimed not only at saving the building and conserving the interiors but also at restoring the gardens and the adjacent landscape. Currently, the space functions as a hub for contemporary art and exhibitions, offering guided tours and educational activities. The project’s success is reflected in the previous year’s traffic figures, when guided tours and cultural events consolidated the site’s identity as a landmark connecting the urban public from Cluj with the local community.
Beyond the jury’s recognition, the project is now a candidate for the Public Choice Award, with online voting open until May 12. The winner of this additional category will be announced on May 28 during an official ceremony in Nicosia. County authorities emphasize that this award confirms the viability of the management model through which a neglected monument is reintegrated into contemporary life, providing a rare example of a heritage project completed and utilized coherently at a national level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did the Bánffy Palace receive?
The palace won the European Heritage Award – Europa Nostra 2026 in the “Conservation & Adaptive Reuse” category, being the only Romanian project recognized this year.
What is the current use of the Bánffy Palace in Răscruci?
It serves as a cultural hub for contemporary art, exhibitions, and educational activities, successfully bridging the gap between the urban public and the local community.
How can the public support this heritage project?
The public can vote online for the Public Choice Award until May 12, with the final winner to be announced at a ceremony in Nicosia on May 28.