The French Hospital in Fáskrúðsfjörður, East Iceland, was among the recipients of this year‘s Europa Nostra award in the conservation category. The house was built in 1903 and served as a hospital for French fishermen based in Iceland. It was disassembled and relocated in 1939 but moved back to its original home in Fáskrúðsfjörður in 2008 when a decision was made to restore the building.
The house was converted into a hotel and museum in a bid to honour the memory of the many fishermen who perished in Icelandic waters. The restoration project began in 2009 and was overseen by the Icelandic cultural heritage foundation Minjavernd.
Read more: A French Hospital turned into a Hotel in Fáskrúðsfjörður
According to Europa Nostra, the restoration was “faithful to the traditional crafts and materials used in the original construction”, with many of the old timbers being reused.
“This project recaptures a part of European history in embracing this link between France and Iceland. The project team has acted to safeguard this valuable and fragile building and the fascinating heritage it embodies”, the jury noted.
Europa Nostra is a rapidly growing citizens’ movement for the safeguarding of Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. The network is composed of 250 member organisations.
Read more: Northern Lights dance across the sky over Fáskrúðsfjörður, East Iceland
The French Hospital in Fáskrúðsfjörður, East Iceland, was among the recipients of this year‘s Europa Nostra award in the conservation category. The house was built in 1903 and served as a hospital for French fishermen based in Iceland. It was disassembled and relocated in 1939 but moved back to its original home in Fáskrúðsfjörður in 2008 when a decision was made to restore the building.
The house was converted into a hotel and museum in a bid to honour the memory of the many fishermen who perished in Icelandic waters. The restoration project began in 2009 and was overseen by the Icelandic cultural heritage foundation Minjavernd.
Read more: A French Hospital turned into a Hotel in Fáskrúðsfjörður
According to Europa Nostra, the restoration was “faithful to the traditional crafts and materials used in the original construction”, with many of the old timbers being reused.
“This project recaptures a part of European history in embracing this link between France and Iceland. The project team has acted to safeguard this valuable and fragile building and the fascinating heritage it embodies”, the jury noted.
Europa Nostra is a rapidly growing citizens’ movement for the safeguarding of Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. The network is composed of 250 member organisations.
Read more: Northern Lights dance across the sky over Fáskrúðsfjörður, East Iceland
