The restoration of the Wit Stwosz altar in St. Mary’s Basilica in Kraków has been honoured as one of the recipients of this year’s European Heritage Award in the conservation category. The commendable endeavours of the parish and a team of experts in reviving one of Europe’s significant Gothic treasures have been recognized and lauded.
Described as being the „European Oscar in the field of Cultural Heritage”, the magnificent altar was honoured in the European Heritage Europa Nostra Award’s „Conservation and Adaptive Reuse” category.
The Wit Stwosz altar was one of the nine recipients recognized in the Conservation and Adaptation category, alongside renowned monuments such as Venice, Paris, Vilnius, Copenhagen, and Madeira.
The European Heritage Award/Europa Nostra Awards 2023, the most prestigious accolade for European heritage, celebrated a total of 30 accomplishments from 21 countries, honouring exceptional achievements across five categories.
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The Historic Centre of Kraków, including St. Mary’s Basilica, gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1978 due to its remarkable cultural significance. The Gothic altar of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, created by Wit Stwosz (Veit Stoss) from 1477 to 1489, is a renowned highlight of the basilica. A remarkable restoration project was undertaken on-site to revive the altarpiece, restoring it to its original splendour.
The restoration of the Krakow altar spanned a duration of six years, commencing in 2015 and concluding in 2021. The intricate process was executed by experts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, who meticulously handled over 200 figures and several thousand distinct woodcarving elements throughout the conservation project.
In 2012, the condition of the altarpiece raised concerns, leading to the formation of a commission tasked with evaluating its stability. The commission’s assessment determined that while the altarpiece was deemed stable, it still faced potential threats and vulnerabilities.
The removal of later repainting revealed the original Gothic appearance of the figures and framing on the corpus and predella, providing insights into the artistic intentions of the Nuremberg master. In addition, research and analysis were conducted to develop guidelines for fire prevention and emergency evacuation. The project involved extensive international consultations with experts in Gothic sculpture conservation from Poland and Europe, fostering the exchange of knowledge and ideas and leading to numerous exciting discoveries.
The awards jury described the project as “an achievement on an impressive scale.”
“The restoration of this magnificent altarpiece is a unique and exceptional achievement. The meticulous conservation of the Wit Stwosz Altarpiece in St. Mary’s Basilica, based on thorough research, was carried out by professionals who demonstrated great respect and sensitivity towards the original work. The project brought together people from different countries, reflecting the international importance of the site and the need for cooperation in preserving European heritage.”
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Since 2002, the European Commission and the Europe-wide Federation of heritage organisations, Europa Nostra, have been presenting the award. The prize is granted in various categories, including Conservation and Adaptation, Research, Education, Training and Skills, Citizen Engagement and Awareness Raising, and Heritage Champions. Its primary objective is to showcase exemplary practices in the heritage sector, serving as a source of inspiration for others.
Author: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska
Photo: mariacki.com
