Rehabilitation of St. Michael's Church

KÉSZ Romania was appointed as the general contractor for the comprehensive restoration of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca. The renovation works took place between 2018 and 2022, and the project was awarded the 2024 Europa Nostra Award in the “Conservation and Adaptive Reuse” category, the most prestigious European distinction in the field of built heritage restoration. During the works, we modernized the heating system, as well as the high- and low-voltage electrical installations and installed modern lighting. 

The restoration aimed to preserve both the technical and aesthetic condition of the church, while respecting its religious and cultural significance. Following the designs developed by the M&M Design architectural office, our specialists renovated the façades, roof structure, interior spaces, and the tower. Modern structural reinforcements using steel beams significantly increased the church’s earthquake resistance, while stone restoration and the use of recycled materials preserved the building’s historic value. 

As part of the restoration, the church tower was made accessible to visitors, and an exhibition space was created to present the history of the church, as well as the restoration process and outcomes. Throughout the project, KÉSZ Romania actively participated in organizing community programs, explaining the technical challenges of the restoration through educational events and guided tours for the general public. By collaborating with the media, we widely promoted the details of the church’s restoration and its exceptional role in cultural heritage, today having a significant impact on the local community, cultural life, and tourism.