And the Award goes to…

Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Georgia

We are delighted to announce that a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award has been given to our project restoring a medieval watch-tower in the Greater Caucasus mountain region of Khevsureti in Georgia!

This work has been a collaboration between INTO and a number of our members, the National Trust of Georgia, REMPART in France, the National Trust and Chudow Castle Foundation in Poland. And it was generously funded by the Swiss foundation, ALIPH.

Congratulations to all 26 winners across 18 countries, including two other INTO members: The National Trust for its conservation of the Gideon Tapestries, Hardwick Hall and Boulouki – Travelling Workshop on Traditional Building, Greece. They all exemplify dynamism, diversity and innovation in efforts to safeguard and promote our rich heritage.

Our international team brought together people of different backgrounds, generations and cultures with one shared vision: To protect and honour the Tsiskarauli Tower. Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Akhieli, Georgia is a truly European project, transcending borders and differences. It brings to life the values of INTO and the power of collaboration and partnership.

A catalyst for international cultural relations and trust building

We have not only safeguarded the physical structure of a medieval tower, however but also the stories, traditions and memories that breathe life into it. And the way that we have done it, in a spirit of solidarity, with volunteer muscle and community engagement, reminds us that heritage is not something that can be neatly parcelled into discrete national packages. The protection of our built, cultural and natural heritage depends on global co-operation.

As well as learning new skills in stonemasonry and path building, participants experienced one another’s cultural heritage as expressed in song, dance and food. This further cemented a sense of unity through shared endeavour. The restoration work has also raised the profile of volunteering in Georgia and provided sought-after opportunities for young people to engage with their heritage, building local pride and identity.

The power of heritage-led collaboration

Alongside the tower’s stabilisation, a large focus of this project was knowledge sharing and capacity building within the National Trust of Georgia. Over two secondments in France and the UK, the staff of the National Trust of Georgia learnt from English and French models of volunteerism, and about the stewardship of remote heritage sites.

Tsiskarauli now welcomes tourists who seek to understand this region’s multi-layered history via a new walking route. They can read about the tower’s history on interpretative panels, see the remains of the Russian missile, learn of its restoration, and explore the surrounding villages.

More than just bricks and mortar

The project faced many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a major landslide. But we’ve shown that when we work together, we can overcome any obstacle and create lasting positive change.

We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in the work, but particularly the volunteers and community members. And we are thankful for the Award as it enables Tsiskarauli continue to shine as a beacon of hope for a better, more peaceful world.

You can read more in our press release here.