The historic Heritage Cup, one of the most recognizable symbols of the municipality, is about to reveal its original appearance once again following restoration work carried out over the past few weeks. Mayor Sergio García-Navas and the Councilor for Tourism and Heritage, Mª Eugenia Díaz-Pacheco, visited the site to firsthand see the results of the effort to restore part of the image conceived for this monument in 1934.
The Cup, created by brothers Petronilo and José Antonio García-Navas, is part of Herencia’s collective memory. Although it originally served as a water reservoir, over time it has become one of the municipality’s most cherished symbols and a landmark for both residents and visitors.
Nearly a century after its construction, the passage of time has led to the loss of many original decorative elements, with hardly any visible remnants remaining. The recent intervention has allowed for the recovery of those details and reinforced the preservation of a structure that was innovative for its time, both in the materials used and its design.
A Restoration Focused on Conservation and Decorative Recovery
The work, carried out by Alcaen Restaura, unfolded in several phases. Initially, the focus was on cleaning, repairing, and restoring cracks and damage to the concrete surfaces.
Techniques such as air and pressure sand cleaning were used, along with special cements and resins to fill cracks. This first phase was crucial for improving the monument’s conservation state and preparing the surface for subsequent aesthetic recovery.
In the second phase, efforts were directed at restoring the decoration that the Cup originally had at its inauguration. An anti-carbonation acrylic coating with a decorative finish was applied to protect the concrete surfaces and replicate the various colors of the original design.
Preliminary Work by Enrique Rodríguez de Tembleque, Key to the Recovery
The recovery of the Cup’s original appearance would not have been possible without the prior study conducted by local artist Enrique Rodríguez de Tembleque, a prominent visual artist, graduate of Fine Arts, and restorer at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Rodríguez de Tembleque conducted meticulous research using old photographs and preserved material remains. Thanks to this study, the designs of the various decorative friezes that adorned the building were rescued and are now visible once again on the structure.
This documentary work has been essential to ensure that the restoration goes beyond simple aesthetic improvement, respecting the monument’s historical memory and recovering its original essence.
An Investment to Enhance Heritage and the Natural Environment of Herencia
The project has a budget of €40,776.37 and has been made possible through co-funding from the European LEADER program and the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, via the Mancha Norte Rural Development Group.
In addition to the restoration of the Cup itself, the intervention will soon include improvements and expansion of the stone paving around it. This will facilitate access to the monument and enhance the area for both residents and visitors to enjoy more comfortably.
The enhancement of the surroundings also strengthens the area’s tourist and heritage value by making one of the municipality’s most representative sites more accessible.
A Symbol with Great Sentimental Value
Councilor for Tourism and Heritage, Mª Eugenia Díaz-Pacheco, expressed her pleasure with the results of the work and emphasized the importance of recovering such a historically significant element.
She noted that the Cup originated as a water reservoir but has become one of the most cherished monuments in Herencia over the years. Its value lies not only in its architectural uniqueness but also in the sentiments it evokes among visitors and locals who recognize it as part of the municipality’s identity.
With this restoration, Herencia regains a more faithful image of one of its historical symbols. This action looks to the past to preserve it while also considering the future, protecting and highlighting a heritage element that will remain part of the local landscape and memory.
Spanish post in La histórica Copa de Herencia recupera su imagen original tras una nueva restauración
