Castro Marim recent application for funding, to rehabilitate the eastern side of Castro Marim Castle, has been approved.
The value of this fund will support the reopening of the East gate of the fence of Vila do Castelo de Castro Marim, a desire of the Municipality for several years now and which aims for the final product to correspond to the original design of the wall, thus creating a new access and preserving the heritage and its identity.
This operation, which has a planned investment volume of one million euros and which will be supported through the “Alentejo and Algarve Fortress Network” strategy, of the Integrated Territorial Investments in Urban Networks competition, for around 538,000 euros, aims to consolidate and rehabilitate that national monument.
The Municipality explains in a statement that, "the work will contribute to improving the sustainability of the facility, reinforcing the walled area, covering the area of archaeological excavations discovered, creating a visiting circuit and improving accessibility and safety conditions for visitors".
Another intervention involves the first phase of content development and the creation of the Interpretation Center for the Templar Orders and the Order of Christ, due to the importance of this military order in the history of the country and the town of Castro Marim.
In the first phase, its contents will be developed through research, studies, state-of-the-art information and publications, with the aim of consolidating and promoting the Castle, disseminating the municipality's historical connection to this theme. This intervention has a planned investment of around 195,000 euros and will be supported by around 117,000 euros.
This application is part of the Urban Network of Fortresses of Alentejo and Algarve, aligned with the Algarve 2030 Strategy, which aims for culture, preservation and enhancement of heritage to be key focuses of development, contributing to competitiveness, qualification of the tourist destination and regional affirmation.
The support is intended for actions of a material and immaterial nature such as conservation and restoration actions, creation of new tourist products, strengthening accessibility conditions, improving technical conditions and promoting and publicizing the fortifications.
The proposed “Alentejo and Algarve Fortress Network” Strategy was presented by the consortium led by the Municipality of Elvas, which also includes the urban centers of the Municipality of Castro Marim, Portalegre, Alcoutim, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Mértola, Beja, Campo Maior and Nisa.
The Municipality of Castro Marim recalls in the document that for more than 40 years it has been trying to unblock a structured intervention in the Castle, recognized as a National Monument since 1910, "which is in need of an urgent and consolidated intervention", it warns.
Source https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/ - photo by CM Castro Marim
