On November 14, 1923 our beautiful entrance to the most famous cultural and spiritual pathway in the world, the road to Santiago, was the epicenter of an earthquake (IV) that brought no more consequences than a few cracks, many scares, minor damage to the monumental village of Roncesvalles and a couple of broken ceramics.

Thus centuries of withdrawal, deterioration and neglect were added to the disentailments, wars and revenge that until recently could sing their stones with the voice of the cracks. Later, the earthquakes of Arette in 1967 (5.8) and Arudy in 1980 (5.4) will add their diabolical notes to the dramatic symphony of that Roncesvalles; a good part of the very rich Spanish heritage still sounds like this; fires, abandonment, earthquakes, wars, ignorance, snobbery and speculation are still today the instruments of such a demonic heritage.

Roncesvalles has always been the obligatory route to enter the Iberian Peninsula. Through Roncesvalles penetrated the Celts, the barbarians, the Goths who settled along the Douro basin, also Charlemagne with the most powerful army of the eighth century on the way to Zaragoza where he was defeated. In revenge he destroyed the capital of the Basques, Pamplona. On his return, in the Pyrenees, he was ambushed by native Basques; with stones, sticks, arrows and darts they destroyed his columns. The Chanson de Roland, written in France in the XIth century, sings of the disaster, Roncesvalles is sealed in the spiritual tradition of the West.

In 1789 the revolution puts an end to the monarchy and the principles on which the European regimes had been based. Roncesvalles and its valleys were to suffer with intensity the vicissitudes of the numerous wars. The collegiate church did not escape these misfortunes, which were added to the natural ones described. "The plan of the collegiate church is a replica of the choir of Notre Dame de Paris. Its ogive ribbing is inspired by the churches of l'Île de France of the years 1170-1180, which highlights its architectural relationship with the neighboring country at the height of its heyday," wrote the illustrious Hungarian professor Istvan Frank (1918-1955).

The Collegiate Church was completed in the early 13th century, and since then suffered many misfortunes, Pyrenean seismicity, wars, the withdrawal and several fires in 1445, 1468 and 1626. At the beginning of the 17th century, its state of deterioration and withdrawal prompted its reconstruction, church and cloister were remodeled with an interior that went from Gothic to Baroque, the presbytery and a section of the previous nave were saved.

Today, in the 21st century, we sadly have to be reminded from far away where our wealth lies. The American patron Richard H. Driehaus with the School of Architecture of the University of Notre Dame of Indiana established the creation of a new award in Spain with the name of Rafael Manzano Martos, winner in 2010 of the award that bears the name of that patron, the goal marked from outside our borders was from his love of so much beauty and history, defend the Spanish urban heritage and the Spanish architectural tradition, now in danger as a result of the alarming speculation with the territory and the natural and historical heritage.

Leopoldo Gil Cornet receives this first award for his work restoration of the Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles, he has been valued for his professional contribution to the field of architecture through respect for classical principles, respect for the ancestral spirit of heritage and heritage and harmonious integration into their monumental, heritage and natural environments.

This award is considered one of the most important awards in the world for a career linked to classical architecture and respectful and faithful restoration. The award, organized by The Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust and the School of Architecture of the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA), will be awarded next fall at a ceremony at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.

To celebrate these recognitions and contributions that elevate us all and that is a bet for the future, enriching even more one of our most emblematic heritages of humanity: The Way of St. James, is an honor for all Spaniards, especially for those of us who have shared with Leopoldo the fears, the pauses, the admirations, and have listened with amazement to the shuddering song of the stones.