The Site

The Palauet Nolla is a historic estate with origins dating back to the 17th century, which over the centuries underwent several modifications before acquiring its distinctive architectural and decorative character in the 19th century. During this period, the building was transformed by the industrialist Miguel Nolla, the founder of the renowned Nolla mosaic factory. Recognising its potential as a showcase for his enterprise, Nolla expanded and reconfigured the structure, commissioning annexes on the southern and western façades to enhance its prominence. The interiors and exteriors were adorned with the factory’s signature ceramic compositions, integrating elaborate mosaic floors, decorative skirting boards, and ornamental façade elements that turned the estate into an architectural statement of the company’s craftsmanship. It became a venue for receiving distinguished guests, symbolising the prestige of the Nolla brand.

In 1916, the property was acquired by the family of Ivonne Volozan. From that point, renovations and interior modifications were carried out, though they did not significantly alter the building’s aesthetic appearance. The subsequent transfer of ownership to Merin Guerin enterprise, along with the rest of the industrial complex, marked the beginning of its gradual decline and eventual abandonment. The building lost its residential function, and the surrounding gardens were removed to accommodate the expansion of industrial facilities, which repurposed the estate as a warehouse and loading area.

In 1986, the Municipality of Meliana acquired the property, constructing a fence to separate it from the adjacent industrial complex. However, without the necessary financial resources for its conservation, the building fell into neglect for decades. A turning point came in 2010, when a comprehensive historical and structural study outlined the required interventions and phased conservation strategies. Since then, gradual restoration efforts have been undertaken, focusing on various architectural elements, including ceilings, wall paintings, and mosaics.

Despite these efforts, much of the building’s artistic heritage remains in need of conservation. Among its most significant spaces is the chapel, an interior space constructed within the ground floor of the estate by Miguel Nolla himself. It served as a place of worship for his family, workers, and local community members, enabling them to attend mass without having to travel to the village church. The ongoing restoration of this space, alongside interventions in other historically significant rooms, reflects the broader initiative to safeguard the Palauet Nolla as a remarkable example of industrial and artistic heritage.

The legacy of Nolla ceramics, which defines much of the Palauet Nolla’s artistic and historical significance, is preserved and promoted by the Centro de Investigación y Difusión de la Cerámica Nolla – the Nolla Ceramics Research and Heritage Dissemination Centre. The Centre was established to safeguard the knowledge and craftsmanship behind this distinctive ceramic tradition and plays a crucial role in researching, documenting, and disseminating the history of Nolla mosaics, which once made the Palauet Nolla a showcase for the finest products of the Nolla factory.

As a specialised entity, the Nolla Ceramics Research and Heritage Dissemination Centre is committed to studying and conserving this industrial and artistic heritage, offering exhibitions, research opportunities, and hosting educational engagement activities such as this European Heritage Training Course, all of which serve to highlight the importance of Nolla ceramics in Spain’s decorative arts. It serves as a hub for experts, craftspeople, and scholars, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and techniques to ensure the continuity of this craft.

The Training Course

The training course will take place at two distinct spaces within Palauet Nolla: the chapel and the central room on the first floor. Both areas exhibit richly detailed decorative schemes that have suffered degradation over time, requiring urgent conservation interventions.

In the chapel, participants will contribute to the recovery of an emblematic space within Palauet Nolla, restoring its original decorative scheme and ensuring its long-term stability. In the central room on the first floor, they will focus on the restoration of a frieze of roses created using the volume stencil technique, addressing accumulated dirt, pigment loss, and structural instability.

The training course will provide participants with comprehensive hands-on experience in the conservation and restoration of 19th-century wall paintings.

The intervention will encompass a range of conservation techniques tailored to the specific conditions of the wall paintings. The initial phase will involve documentation and mapping of damages, followed by a thorough assessment of pathologies and treatment proposals. Cleaning tests will be conducted to determine the most appropriate stratigraphic level and methodology to be applied. Surface cleaning will be carried out using suction and soft brushes, while mechanical removal of later paint layers will be performed with scalpels where necessary. In areas where the original decoration is exposed, dry cleaning will be prioritised, whereas aqueous and chemical cleaning will be employed if required. Fragile or powdery paint layers will undergo consolidation, and missing support areas will be plastered. In the final stage of intervention, polychromy, and reintegration of lost decorative elements will be carried out with the appropriate conservation techniques.

Under the guidance of two experienced conservators-restorers, participants will rotate between tasks, ensuring that each individual gains experience in all phases of the conservation and restoration process. They will document their observations and progress in field notebooks, systematically recording treatment methodologies, findings, and conservation decisions. Each stage of the practical work will be preceded and followed by theoretical input, allowing participants to apply conservation principles to real case studies.

The educational programme will complement the practical work with theoretical sessions on 19th-century wall painting techniques and methodological approaches. An essential element of the programme will be the presentations prepared by the participants. The participants will have the opportunity to present conservation and restoration interventions from their home countries, focusing on case studies of historic interiors and decorative painting traditions of the 19th and the early 20th centuries. These presentations will serve as a platform for intercultural dialogue and comparative analysis of historic interieur design and the related conservation practices. The educational programme will be completed by visits and guided tours to heritage sites in Meliana and the surrounding region.

The training course aims to contribute to the ongoing preservation of Palauet Nolla, offering participants a unique opportunity to refine their practical skills while engaging with a significant site in Spain’s architectural heritage.

The training course will take place from September 28th to October 11th, 2025, and is jointly organised by the Centro de Investigación y Difusión de la Cerámica Nolla and European Heritage Volunteers.