Mértola: Minister of Culture argues that the village "deserves" to be a World Heritage Site
Culture Minister defended the village of Mértola “deserves” be Heritage. Luis Filipe Castro Mendes is confident in the UNESCO classification.
According to the online newspaper Observer, the Minister of Culture defended that the town of Mértola, Alentejo, "Deserves" to be a World Heritage Site, showing its confidence in the classification by UNESCO if the application "is well crafted and structured".
"I have no doubt" that Mértola, no Beja district, known as 'museum village', "I deserve to be a World Heritage Site", said Luis Filipe Castro Mendes, stating that believes in the approval of the application by UNESCO "if well crafted, presented and structured ".
According to the minister, who was speaking to reporters after a meeting with the president of the Chamber Mértola, Jorge Rosa, included in the program of the visit today made the Alentejo town, "Everything is in the construction and application of persuasiveness".
Mértola has been included by the National Commission of the United Nations Educational, Science and Culture (UNESCO) the new Tentative List of World Heritage in Portugal rating, which comprises 22 goods and is a "prerequisite" for application of the World Heritage property.
The minister showed the availability and interest of the Ministry of Culture to support "all that will do" to develop and become "more attractive and interesting," the village of Mértola, It considered "a major center of history and archeology".
Luís Castro Mendes has also shown "great interest" of the Government to support the completion of the rehabilitation work of the house Pink, that is stopped after the discovery of four Roman statues on site.
"We have great interest in supporting" the work, "It is important and interesting to the village", but also "interesting perspectives that open from the discovery" of the statues, He stressed the ruler.
According to the mayor, during the work of rehabilitation of the House Pink, "One of the most beautiful and emblematic buildings of the historic center" of the village of Mértola, It was discovered a set "very important" four Roman statues, dating from the first century, which caused the stoppage of work and "will certainly lead to increased costs for the municipality".
Jorge Rosa said the presence of the Minister of Culture at the meeting on Tuesday was "crucial" to resolve "some details" of the work, as the extension of the completion deadline contracted to ensure reimbursement in 85% by EU funds, and the council will continue the work provided for in the initial project.
A obra, included in the municipal strategy to "enhance the presence and Islamic culture that marked and mark the history of the territory of Mértola", It began in May 2017, It is estimated at about 800 thousand euros and had a lead time provided a year.
Jorge Rosa explained that the municipality's project includes the rehabilitation of the house, It was "in ruins", and the creation within a complex of Moorish baths, "As there is in Portugal", and a tea house.
On the other hand, the mayor considered that all the statues, "For its importance", It should be musealized and placed in a location in the village to be visited by the public.
The site must have "the same dignity and the same importance" of the statues, He defended Jorge Rosa, stating that the space is not yet defined, but there are several solutions "on the table".
According to the mayor, the municipality and the Alentejo Regional Directorate of Culture will meet "soon" to find the site and can begin work on the project musealization statuary set, "It is very important and will certainly be a reason for people to travel to Mértola and will contribute to tourism and the development of the village".
