Two months ago controversy arose over a concrete structure around 30 meters long, one and a half meters wide, and one and a half meters high, which had been illegally built on the coast of Culatra Island, in the Farol region. The ugly construction was in plain sight of local residents, and just a few steps from the bank of the Ria Formosa and right in the middle of the Natural Park.
The concrete wall, located near the island’s lighthouse was demolished this Friday, 6th December. José Pacheco, president of the Ria Formosa Polis Litoral Society, who also happens to be the director of the Portuguese Environmental Agency’s (APA) Algarve division, confirmed in a statement that the demolition had taken place.
Back in October when this phantom structure first appeared on Culatra, without any explanation, Mr. Pacheco claimed that he could not give information on this specific case because he was out of service due to health reasons. However he advised to contact the ICNF, who oddly enough said to contact the APA as the island is under their jurisdiction.
According to the official, it was the APA who requested that Polis destroy the wall. This is because it is an area covered by the Eastern Coastal Planning Plan (POOC), which outlines jurisdiction of the Portuguese Environment Agency.
The demolition, according to Mr. Pacheco, "went smoothly and without contestation." Since the beginning of project “no complaints" have been received from the islanders. As for the party behind the construction of the wall, they are yet to be identified. Though we all know of a particular someone with a propensity for wall-building..
When the wall was first broken, it was found that inside it had been constructed using a mix of rubbish and concrete, to make the structure heavier. This included refrigerators, grills and even boat masts, which all helped to erect this illegally constructed wall.
The purpose of the wall is speculated to have been to serve as a barrier for the protection of houses from rising tides.
