Date Published: 30/09/2024
European recognition ceremony for the restoration of the Pozos de la Nieve
Alhama de Murcia is once again an example of heritage recovery in Europe with the restoration of the Snow Wells
The Ministers of Environment and Culture unveiled the plaque certifying the European recognition of the project, granted by the Europa Nostra organisation.
This is the fourth award received, after those of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena, the churches restored in Lorca after the damage caused by the earthquakes and the Molino Tonita in Espinardo.
The Region of Murcia has once again become a benchmark for the recovery of natural and cultural heritage in Europe.
This is confirmed by the European Heritage Prize 'Europa Nostra', awarded by the Europa Nostra organisation.
Councillor Juan María Vázquez proclaimed the importance of the award, stating, “it is an undoubted example of the enormous work of recovery and conservation carried out by the regional Government to enhance the rich heritage” of Murcia.
She continued by stating “this work, carried out over the last few years, means that today our heritage is a European reference, not only for being one of the richest legacies of our region, but also for the application of scientific and historical recovery criteria recognised by international experts”.
The awards, co-financed by the Creative Europe programme, were decided at the end of May by a jury made up of a dozen heritage experts from all over Europe, which sifted through a total of 206 applications from 38 nations.
The restoration has focused on two of the 28 snow wells in the Sierra Espuña Regional Park, which have served as ice factories since the 16th century, storing snow in winter for ice production in summer.
The works have restored the largest well in the heritage complex, with a diameter of 12 metres. The entire structure was consolidated and the original dome, which had partially collapsed, was rebuilt.
Another snow well, eight metres in diameter, has also been restored, which has the uniqueness of its conical and pointed shape of its dome. The dome was rebuilt using the original technique of approximating rows of stone masonry.
For the recovery of both wells, the regional government allocated an amount of 321,754 euros, 80% of which was financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
The project to recover and restore the Pozos de la Nieve in Sierra Espuña has been undertaken by the General Directorate of Natural Heritage and is part of the Master Plan drawn up by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage.
The winners will be honoured on 7 October at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony in Bucharest, the European summit on cultural heritage.
During the event, the winners of the Grand Prix and the Public Award will be announced, chosen from this year's winners, and will receive a prize of 10,000 euros.
Image: AYUNTAMIENTO ALHAMA DE MURCIA
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