Restoration of the urban complex of Villa of Covarrubias, Burgos

Covarrubias, Burgos, Castilla y León.

Dating of the building: 7th - 16th century.

Applicant: Covarrubias City Council.

Reason for the award :

Community collaboration in the comprehensive rehabilitation of the municipality started in 1965, the year in which Covarrubias was declared a historical-artistic complex, and the Europa Nostra award.

The first Europa Nostra prize awarded in Spain valued the complete involvement of the neighborhood in the rehabilitation of Covarrubias where, in addition to the main monuments, two hundred houses were also restored.

Located on the Castilian plateau on the banks of the Arlanza River, the small town of Covarrubias barely has two thousand inhabitants. Its historical importance is ratified by its singular monuments such as the Collegiate Church of San Cosme and San Damián (7th century), the Doña Urraca tower (11th century), the Gothic church of Santo Tomé, and the Archive of the Adelantado de Castilla, in Herrerian style.

The restoration of these monuments was followed by the rehabilitation of all the historic houses in the town for which the town Council granted free credits.  The owners followed the guidelines set by the Ministry of Public Works, resulting in the complete restoration of the municipality, an example followed since then in places with similar characteristics.

www.covarrubias.es

Others awards in Castilla y León: