Chairman of the Cluj County Council Alin Tise says that the European awards that went to Banffy Castle at Rascruci from the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards are an extraordinary recognition of the value, identity and respect for history.
“The two Europa Nostra distinctions that went to Banffy Castle at Rascruci – the European Heritage Award 2026 and the Special Audience Award – is an extraordinary recognition of value, identity and respect for history. It is proof that, when Cluj builds with vision, Europe applauds. Banffy Castle at Rascruci is reborn today not only as a restored monument, but as a symbol of cultural dignity as well. Congratulations to all those who believed in this extraordinary project! Cluj has made history again, and Romania has shone in Europe,” Tise wrote on Tuesday in a social media post.
Also, the Ministry of Culture has congratulated the Cluj County Council on the awards.
“The Ministry of Culture is extending its most sincere congratulations to the Cluj County Council, the project team, the specialists involved in restoration, the local community and all the partners who contributed to the remarkable success of Banffy Castle at Rscruci, the winner of the Public Choice Award 2026 at the prestigious European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, in the Conservation & Adaptive Reuse category. This European recognition confirms the exceptional value of the built heritage in Romania and demonstrates that investments in the conservation and smart capitalisation on historical monuments can generate sustainable cultural, educational and social benefits for communities,” the Ministry of Culture said on Tuesday, in a social media post regarding the awards that went to Banffy Castle at a May 28 festivity in Nicosia, Cyprus.
According to the representatives of Banffy Castle at Rascruci, it garnered 963 votes.
“Our castle, Banffy Castle at Rascruci, Cluj County, won the European award for the restored heritage category. But our emotions and yours, those who watched live, did not end there. The last and most important prize was to be read by the master of ceremonies from a sealed envelope. It’s about the Audience Award. We, the 1000 delegates in the hall and the countless live viewers, stood with bated breath when the envelope was opened and the name of the great winner was read out. With 9,631 online votes from all over Europe, the winner is Banffy Castle at Rascruci-Cluj-Romania.”
Banffy Castle at Rascruci was the only project from Romania to win at the European Heritage Award – Europa Nostra 2026. Cluj County received the distinction out of a total number of 261 eligible applications submitted by 40 European countries.
The castle at Rascruci was built in the 18th century, in an eclectic style. Between 1752 and 1755 the guest house and the stable were restored, and the current building dates back to 1809, being erected on the site of a former summer residence.
Living at the castle was Baron Adam Banffy (1818-1886), an art enthusiast.
Between 2021 and 2023, the castle was completely restored under a project on European funds and funds from the Cluj County Council, becoming a cultural centre and tourist attraction.
