From the junction of the former facilities of Pensão Tomás and Café Triagá, Beja Hostel was born, where part of the Roman city was discovered.
In April last year, during a pandemic, repair works on the sewer network led to the discovery of part of the old city, the Pax-Julia of Roman times.
The Regional Directorate of Culture of Alentejo, began to follow the process, so that the constant archaeological discoveries were not destroyed, which led to the alteration of the water and sewage systems.
Antonio Freire, natural Alvito, space tenant since 2014, reveals that “carvings buried in the ground, a magnificent wall and a cistern with well-preserved water mine dating back to the Roman period. But there is more, we also have many Islamic vestiges”, ends.
Archaeologist Maria da Conceição Lopes, assistant professor at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Coimbra, explained in a video the importance of the archaeological finds and said she was “convinced that it is a Roman bath”, justified.
The discoveries led to the need for some adjustments to the building and new stability and architecture projects have already been prepared and the works should start again this month., with the excavations taking two months and the space should be finished and ready to receive new guests at the end of 2023.
JN, the entrepreneur mentions that currently the unit has 10 rooms that can accommodate 20 people, but the future objective is “to reduce the number of rooms and people, we want quality over quantity. The hostel will be operating on the 1st floor and on the ground floor we want to open a museum, a space that everyone can visit. We want to value the unit and the entire region of Beja”, justified António Freire. “In the space for finds, a mesanine will be created, a reception and a bar so that visitors can enjoy and better understand what the ancient Roman Beja was like”, concluded.
The space has already been visited by heads of various institutions, including the Municipality of Beja, with whom the promoter intends to establish a protocol. “We don't ask for money. We only intend logistical support for the removal of land and recognition as a Project of Municipal Interest (PIM).
Paul Arsenio, President of Bejense authority, confirms the effectiveness of the protocol that in addition to the removal of earth and debris, “no cost to owner, We authorize the excavation along the wall facade up to the edge of the sidewalk and the transfer of pelints and showcases to display the materials found”, concluded.
Fundraising Campaign
To pay for the projects to run the hostel and open the museum on the ground floor, are accurate about 15 thousand euros and a fundraising campaign will be carried out through the GoFundMe platform, called "Beja", a window to the past.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
