# Catalan Institute for Cultural Heritage Research

> research institute in Catalonia

**Wikidata**: [Q80107683](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80107683)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/catalan-institute-for-cultural-heritage-research

## Summary
The Catalan Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (ICRPC) is a research institute located in Girona, Spain, dedicated to the study of cultural heritage and territory. Established in 2006, it operates as a member of the CERCA Institute and is headquartered in the historic Edifici Pia Almoina. The organization serves as a specialized entity for generating knowledge regarding cultural assets, distinct from university departments or museum management bodies.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Institut Català de Recerca en Patrimoni Cultural (Catalan); also known as Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau.
- **Acronym:** ICRPC.
- **Type:** Research institute.
- **Founding Date:** November 22, 2006.
- **Location:** Edifici Pia Almoina, Plaça de la catedral, 8, Girona, Spain.
- **Postal Code:** 17004.
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 41.987332547420635, Longitude 2.825451326585686.
- **Parent Organization:** CERCA Institute.
- **Leadership:** Gemma Domènech i Casadevall (Director/Manager).
- **Fields of Work:** Cultural heritage and territory.
- **Website:** https://icrpc.cat/ (Available in Catalan, Spanish, and English).
- **Contact:** +34-972-48-61-58; icrpc@icrpc.cat.
- **Predecessor:** Replaces the "Institute of Cultural Heritage."

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of the ICRPC?
The institute focuses its systematic investigation on the fields of cultural heritage and territory. It operates specifically as a research organization rather than a teaching university or policy think tank.

### Q: Where is the institute physically located?
It is headquartered in Girona, Spain, specifically within the Edifici Pia Almoina at Plaça de la catedral, 8. The building is located near the cathedral in the city center.

### Q: Who oversees the management of the ICRPC?
Gemma Domènech i Casadevall serves as the Director and Manager of the institute. The organization operates under the umbrella of the CERCA Institute, which coordinates research centers in Catalonia.

### Q: What digital resources does the institute provide?
The institute maintains a trilingual website (Catalan, Spanish, English) and active social media profiles on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr under the handle "Ipatrimoni."

## Why It Matters
As a specialized research institute, the ICRPC plays a critical role in the preservation and understanding of Catalan cultural assets. Unlike general universities that balance teaching with research, the ICRPC exists purely to generate new knowledge about cultural heritage and territory. This focused mission allows for deep, systematic investigation into the history, management, and sustainability of heritage sites. By separating this function from the administrative duties of museums or the educational obligations of universities, the institute acts as a dedicated engine for discovery and conservation strategies, ensuring that regional heritage is studied with rigorous academic standards comparable to scientific research organizations globally.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Mission:** Dedicated exclusively to research in cultural heritage and territory, distinguishing it from broader academic departments.
- **Historic Headquarters:** Situated in the Edifici Pia Almoina, a significant location in Girona adjacent to the cathedral.
- **CERCA Membership:** Part of the official network of research centers supported by the Catalan government.
- **Digital Engagement:** Maintains a robust digital presence across multiple platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr) under the unified brand "Ipatrimoni," boasting thousands of followers.
- **Multilingual Accessibility:** Provides full website access in three languages (Catalan, Spanish, English) to reach a broad audience.

## Body
### Organizational Structure and Purpose
The Catalan Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (ICRPC) is formally classified as a research institute, an organization defined by a primary purpose of conducting systematic investigation. It is recognized as an operational entity distinct from scientific societies or think tanks, focusing on fundamental inquiry rather than policy influence or membership services.

The institute operates under the administration of the CERCA Institute, the umbrella organization for research centers in Catalonia. Its director and manager is Gemma Domènech i Casadevall. The organization was established on November 22, 2006, effectively replacing the former "Institute of Cultural Heritage." While it is often referred to by its short name ICRPC, it also historically carries the alias "Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau."

### Location and Facilities
The ICRPC is located in Girona, Spain. Its physical address is Edifici Pia Almoina, Plaça de la catedral, 8, with the postal code 17004. The precise geographic coordinates are latitude 41.987332547420635 and longitude 2.825451326585686. This location places the institute within a historic context, referenced in data sources as "La Pia Almoina."

### Research and Scope
The institute's field of work is explicitly defined as "cultural heritage" and "territory." This aligns with its classification as a ResearchOrganization under schema.org standards. By concentrating on these specific domains, the ICRPC contributes to the cataloging, study, and preservation of regional history and physical landscapes.

### Digital Presence and Media
The institute maintains a comprehensive digital footprint. Its official website (https://icrpc.cat/) serves as a portal available in Catalan, Spanish, and English. On social media, the institute uses the handle **Ipatrimoni**. As of January 2021, its social media following was recorded at 6,043 followers, an increase from 5,337 followers in April 2020. It maintains active profiles on:
- **Twitter:** @Ipatrimoni (Twitter ID: 3147338408)
- **Instagram:** @ipatrimoni
- **Pinterest:** Ipatrimoni
- **Flickr:** User ID 129793266@N06

### Identifiers and Authority Control
The ICRPC is indexed in numerous international library and authority systems, reflecting its status as a recognized research entity. Key identifiers include:
- **GND ID:** 16107314-1
- **ISNI:** 0000000510961232
- **VIAF ID:** 170215187
- **ROR ID:** 04xxayh10
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2015084992
- **CANTIC ID:** 981058523653206706 (formerly a11124271)
- **IdRef ID:** 159676134
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11hfll7w4l
- **University of Barcelona Authority ID:** 981058523653206706

## References

1. [Source](https://cerca.cat/c/icrpc/)
2. [Source](https://icrpc.cat/ca/persones/l/1002-gemma-domenech-i-casadevall.html)
3. ROR release v1.1