The Portuguese Minister announced the signing of seven collaborative protocols for the restoration of classified cultural heritage, amounting to a total of 8.8 million euros. This initiative involves the Património Cultural – Instituto Público, the public company Estamo, and various municipalities.
“Today marks a historic day,” stated the minister, emphasizing the establishment of an efficient and collaborative management approach responsive to the needs of heritage sites requiring intervention.
In this first phase, a three-million-euro investment has been allocated from a total plan of 8.8 million euros, scheduled over the next five years, through a partnership between the Ministries of Culture and Finance alongside local authorities.
The new initiative involves the collaboration of Património Cultural – Instituto Público (PC-IP) under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the public entity Estamo under the Ministry of Finance, and the municipalities of Alvito, Lisbon, Melgaço, Moura, Ponte da Barca, Póvoa de Varzim, and Tavira.
The PC-IP will provide both technical and financial support via the Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Fund, while Estamo will also offer technical and financial assistance through the State Budget, possibly aided by regional European operational programs.
When questioned about the advantages of this intervention model for heritage recovery, the Minister highlighted the involvement of municipalities, noting their critical role in overseeing projects and ensuring quicker preservation actions.
“Local leaders are the most familiar with their areas. They will be the operational owners of these projects, enabling efficient preservation of our valuable heritage,” said Margarida Balseiro Lopes.
The minister also explained that today’s signed protocols stem from dialogue among municipalities and the Ministries of Culture and Finance to address the specific needs of national monuments and public-interest properties, including six national monuments and Moura’s Wall.
Regarding the urgency of classified heritage needing intervention, a thorough assessment will be conducted to prioritize actions based on regional involvement and determine financial, technical, and operational needs.
The initial restoration phase will focus on the Church of Alvito, the Chapel of Santo Amaro (Lisbon), the Church of the Divine Savior in Paderne (Melgaço), the Modern Walls of Moura, the Ponte da Barca Church, the Church of São Pedro de Rates (Póvoa de Varzim), and the Church of Santa Maria in Tavira.
António Furtado, President of Estamo, detailed that the 8.8 million-euro budget includes 3.8 million euros from the State Budget, 3.7 million euros from regional operational programs, and 1.3 million euros from the Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Fund.
“We aim for sustainable management dynamics for heritage, focusing not only on rehabilitation but also on preventive maintenance planning,” added Furtado.
João Soalheiro, President of PC-IP, praised the management model for its shared responsibility approach in preserving national monuments and other classified heritage, ensuring their future connectivity and preservation.
The signing ceremony at the National Palace of Ajuda was attended by the Secretary of State for Treasury and Finance, João Silva Lopes, alongside municipal leaders and ecclesiastical representatives.
