The prestigious Our Lady of Grace Cathedral at Papadi, Vasai Road, has been awarded the ‘Merit Award’ in the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for its cultural heritage conservation.
The awards were announced at a ceremony held in Bangkok.
The 452-year-old cathedral in Vasai is among the top ten conservation projects in the Asia-Pacific region announced by UNESCO.
A fund of around INR 4.75 crore was raised for the conservation of this historic structure, which is a masterpiece of 16th-century Portuguese architecture.
The special feature of this restoration is that the use of cement was avoided and the repairs were carried out using the traditional method of lime.
The architectural firm ‘Savani Heritage Conservation’ from Mumbai, in collaboration with ‘Siquera Fine Art’ from Girij in Vasai and local skilled artisans, completed the work of the church during 2023-24.
The nave is decorated with attractive wood carvings.
UNESCO has mentioned in its citation that this is a living testament to the spread of Christianity in Maharashtra. The conservation done through the use of traditional craftsmanship is remarkable.
This place of worship has been restored to its former glory due to meticulous and conscious craftsmanship. Every year since 2000, UNESCO has honored buildings, settlements and projects that preserve the cultural heritage of the Asia-Pacific region.