The municipality of Nuevo Baztán is one of the most distinctive urban‑industrial complexes in Spanish and European heritage. Listed as a Historic‑Artistic Complex and a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 2001, it represents an exceptional milestone in the history of urban planning, industry and Modern‑Age architecture in Europe — an urban, industrial and cultural jewel recognised beyond our borders.

This urban‑industrial model was unprecedented in its time, combining residence, production and worship in a single space, in a balance that anticipated later industrial and urban concepts.

In countries such as France, Nuevo Baztán is studied and valued as an original and innovative example of an 18th‑century manufacturing complex. Its pioneering role in the development of modern manufactures is recognised, and it is seen as an early example of modern industrial urbanism — valued for its originality and its contribution to the history of European industry.

Its mention in national and international forums places the town on the European map of industrial and cultural heritage, reinforcing the need to protect and promote this legacy.

About a year ago, France’s public broadcaster — the arts channel ARTE TV France — filmed for several days in our Historic Complex. The report began airing yesterday on French television and its German counterpart, as part of a programme about the Bourbon Royal Manufactories (glass in La Granja and tapestries in Madrid) and the importance of Nuevo Baztán as a precedent for these factories.

However, too often it is we ourselves — those who live with this heritage every day — who forget that we have the privilege of living alongside a historic complex admired beyond our borders and, at the same time, the duty to take part in its protection and enhancement.

This complex is not only a reminder of the past: it is a symbol of identity that sets Nuevo Baztán apart, a source of pride and belonging for those who live here. For the residents of Nuevo Baztán, it is not merely a cultural resource, but an identity symbol that distinguishes the municipality within the Community of Madrid and the country as a whole.

Preserving Nuevo Baztán is not only a legal requirement arising from its BIC status, but also a moral and cultural duty shared by all actors involved: public administrations, citizens and the local social fabric.

Beyond its historical value, this complex is also an opportunity for sustainable development through cultural tourism, research and educational outreach, which can become drivers of local pride and economic dynamism not only for the municipality but for the whole area.

For that reason, living next to heritage of this magnitude should be understood as both a privilege and a shared responsibility: it is not only institutions that must protect and conserve it, but also individuals — as custodians and transmitters of this legacy to future generations.

Enjoy its appearance in this programme from minute 18.

Link to watch the video: https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/120086-097-A/invitation-au-voyage/