The artifact, which is part of the access gate to the Torre Gironella, the highest point of the Roman wall and one of the city's main defensive elements, shows significant surface wear, accumulated dirt, small cracks, and detachments. The recovery tasks are expected to last approximately fifteen days.
In addition to the restoration, a reproduction of the original shield is planned. This replica will be incorporated into the exhibition at the Girona History Museum 2,100 years of history: 21 objects for 21 centuries, thus enriching the city's cultural heritage.
“"We continue to commit to an active policy of heritage conservation, working with rigorous criteria and with the will to give value to elements that explain key episodes of our collective memory, such as the role of Queen Joanna during the siege of Girona."
The shield of Queen Joanna Enríquez, declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN), was crafted in 1467 from nummulitic limestone from Girona. Queen Joanna Enríquez, who was Queen of Navarre and consort of the Crown of Aragon, played a crucial role during the Catalan Civil War of the 15th century.
In 1462, she took refuge in Girona with her son Ferdinand, the future Ferdinand the Catholic, and led the city's defense during the siege by the troops of the Generalitat and their French allies. During this period, she organized the resistance of both the population and the royal forces, until the arrival of reinforcements allowed the siege to be lifted. She also engaged in intense political and diplomatic activity with European monarchs.
