El Panteón de la Familia Pardo en Ciriego gana premio al ‘Mejor Monumento’ en concurso de Cementerios de España
The Ciriego cemetery has been named the winner in the ‘Best Monument’ category for the Pardo Family Mausoleum in the Cementerios de España competition organized by Adiós Cultural magazine.
At an event held in Madrid, the manager of the Sociedad Cementerio Jardín, María Bolado, accepted the award, which was awarded through popular vote, distinguishing the cemetery in Santander ahead of the other two finalists in this category, which included the General Cemetery of Valencia and the Mancomunado de Cádiz.
In the selection of Ciriego, the contest organizers highlighted the «uniqueness» of the Pardo Family Mausoleum, as well as its «decorative richness,» which includes golden mosaics, frescoes, and detailed reliefs, symbolizing eternal rest and spilled blood, with religious elements that enhance its spiritual character.
In a press release, the mayor and president of the board of directors of the Sociedad Cementerio Jardín, Gema Igual, expressed her satisfaction with this award, which «validates the work carried out by this entity in enhancing the historical and artistic heritage.»
She also emphasized that the cemetery was awarded in the same competition last year, along with other recognitions received in previous years, demonstrating that Santander’s funerary heritage «is one of the most valuable in Spain.»
Furthermore, the mayor detailed the work being done on this monumental ensemble.
In this regard, she explained that the mausoleum has been part of the municipal heritage since 2018, and since then, the City Council has been implementing a plan focused on its conservation and consolidation.
Consequently, the Council carried out a first phase of restoration of the mausoleum in 2021, aimed at improving the exterior to prevent water leaks and preserve the mosaics and frescoes inside.
Currently, efforts are underway to consolidate and restore the interior of the monument for preservation, with actions focusing on restoring the main Calvary mosaic, recovering panels and vault arches, and restoring mural paintings by artist Gerardo Alvear.
These restoration works are based on a report issued by the Santa María de Toraya Foundation, specialized in the conservation and restoration of art.
ARTISTIC VALUE
The mausoleum of Adolfo Pardo, built in 1917, is one of the most significant architectural works within the cemetery.
The work was carried out by architect Javier González Riancho (1881-1953). The adopted style is neoromanesque-Byzantine, unique in the Santander cemetery.
The architectural ensemble is decorated with a mosaic program attributed to Italian artist Octavio Bianchi, giving prominence to the entrance and altar spaces where the most elaborate and figurative motifs are displayed, while leaving the sides for ornamental motifs, mainly geometric.
The construction’s roof uses half-point vaults, with a central dome covered in frescoes by Gerardo de Alvear (1881-1964) on the interior and colorful mosaics on the exterior.
