- Ten initiatives honored with the Hessian Heritage Preservation Award
Ministry Official Timon Gremmels, representing the SPD party as Hessian Minister of Culture, bestowed the Heritage Protection Prize 2024 upon ten exceptional projects. The total prize sum of 34,500 euros is assigned to individuals and groups who exhibit exceptional efforts in preserving cultural heritages, disclosed the ministry. Gremmels commended, "By undertaking these initiatives, the recipients have not only safeguarded historical landmarks but also significantly enhanced the community's inherent identity and quality of life." He further emphasized, "Their projects showcase how our cultural heritage can thrive through dedicated action."
First Prize in the "Living in a Monument" category was awarded to the 1955 construction, "Zum goldenen Rad," situated on Frankfurt's Römerberg. The esteemed jury recognized the significant improvement made to the building, stressing that the project "serves as a vital model for accepting post-war architecture, often overlooked in public opinion." In the "Transforming and Revitalizing" category, the first prize went to the project at Hofgut Schmitte in Biebertal, Gießen district, which saw a thorough restoration of the 15th-century mill complex, skillfully integrated into an urban planning concept.
The "Castle and Palace" category saw the Burgruine Wallrabenstein in Hünstetten, Rheingau-Taunus district, garnering the first place. The relentless commitment of a couple ensured the restoration of the 14th-century ruin. The Rotes Schloss tower extension in Tann, Rhön, took second place in this category.
The following projects received the honorary award alongside a prize of 2,500 euros each: "Livable Seligenstadt Old Town," "Cultural Monument Point Alpha," a former US observation tower at the inner-German border, and the Ludwigs-Tempel in Darmstadt.
The Hessian Heritage Protection Prize, initiated by the State Office for Heritage Preservation and Lotto Hessen GmbH in 1986, is now in its 39th year of recognition. Lotto Hessen has funded the prize with 27,000 euros for this year. The honorary award underlines the community's important role in the restoration of a cultural monument, with a prize fund of 7,500 euros provided by the Hessian State Chancellery.
The first-place winner in the "Castle and Palace" category hails from Hünstetten, specifically the Burgruine Wallrabenstein in the Rheingau-Taunus district. The second-place winner in this category was the Rotes Schloss tower extension, located in Tann, a part of the Rhön region.
