The Minister of Education, Science and Universities, Mercedes Zarzalejo, has announced the renewal of the agreement that allows students from the Higher School of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage to work in the Cuenca temple.
Students from the Higher School of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ESCRBC) in the Community of Madrid will continue to apply their knowledge at Cuenca Cathedral. The regional government has renewed the collaboration agreement with the Iberdrola Foundation until 2028, which enables students to restore works of art in the temple.
Restoring heritage since 2017
The agreement, which dates back to 2017, has already allowed interventions on three altarpieces of the Cuenca cathedral: the altarpiece of Santa María de Todos los Santos, the altarpiece of San Fabián and San Sebastián, and the Main Altarpiece of the Chapel of the Apostles, a work by the masters Antonio Flórez and Juan de Albiz from the 16th century. Now, the work will focus on the Altarpiece of the Virgin of Health.
The Minister of Education, Science and Universities, Mercedes Zarzalejo, visited the centre to announce the renewal of the agreement. “It is an example of public-private collaboration that benefits our students and cultural heritage,” she highlighted.
“Thanks to this initiative, students gain real experience in the conservation of top-level cultural assets,” Zarzalejo stated during her visit to the ESCRBC.
Excellence in training in the region
The ESCRBC, dependent on the Community of Madrid, offers higher artistic education at Degree and Master's level to 162 students this academic year. In addition to the agreement with Cuenca Cathedral, the centre collaborates with institutions such as the Royal Tapestry Factory, the Naval Museum, National Heritage, and the Pious Work of the Holy Places.
The Community of Madrid has six public centres for higher artistic education, offering training in Music, Dance, Design, Dramatic Art, and Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage. In total, more than 3,500 students are enrolled in these disciplines in the region, of which 65% are registered in higher schools and conservatories.
A boost to cultural heritage
The restoration of works at Cuenca Cathedral not only benefits students but also contributes to the preservation of Spanish artistic heritage. The residents of the Community of Madrid can be proud that their training centres participate in projects of this magnitude, which highlight the artistic tradition of the country.
For those interested in heritage conservation, this news guarantees that training in the region remains cutting-edge. With initiatives like this, future restorers from Madrid demonstrate that art knows no provincial boundaries.
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