With the firm intention of recovering its historical identity and bringing it closer to the public, the Council of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell has launched an ambitious plan to revitalize its archaeological patrimony. The Patrimony area has begun works on the consolidation and enhancement of the archaeological site of Cova de les Bruixes. A multidisciplinary project whose central axis is the recovery and comprehensive restoration of the enclave, improving accessibility to guarantee its enhancement and provide the complex with an order and coherence that allows it to be transformed into a space that can be visited by all audiences, always ensuring the protection of the archaeological remains and their long-term conservation.
The consolidation works of the structures will last approximately a month and a half, being the previous step for the final adaptation of the space. The final objective of the intervention is to create an interpretive itinerary that allows visitors to understand the historical importance of the enclave through a delimited route and a protected route that guarantees the conservation of the visible remains.
The project integrates information panels as a didactic resource, in addition to the adaptation of leisure spaces that will have the installation of picnic tables and a children’s recreational area type «sandbox», specifically designed so that the little ones can play at being archaeologists and discover treasures at the site.
This action, which has a budget of 41,179.95 euros (VAT included), has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the Patrimony Office and the areas of Urban Planning and Culture. Likewise, the consistory has the technical and scientific support of the professor of Archaeology of the UA, Feliciana Sala. The project is expected to be fully completed in June.
Progress in the recovery of the l’Abiar washing place
It is not the only patrimonial element that the Council is going to recover and value. On the other hand, the drafting phase of the action plan for the comprehensive recovery of l’Abiar washing place has already been completed. After nearly a year of technical works to meet the requirements of its classification as an Asset of Local Relevance, the project – which covers the architectural, archaeological and restoration aspects – has been developed by a multidisciplinary team.
The intervention in the washing place has an estimated budget of 110,000 euros. Once the technical drafting has been completed, the council plans to start the tender for the works in the upcoming weeks. At the same time, the area of Culture and the Patrimony Office have presented the necessary documentation to qualify for various regional subisidies for the protection of patrimony, with the intention of partially or fully paying for the action.
The Councillor of Patrimony, Víctor Bisquert, has highlighted the importance of these actions for the identity of the municipality. «With the start of these works we are not only protecting stones or old structures, we are recovering our history and returning it to the neighbors so that they can enjoy and understand it. Our priority is that both the Cova de les Bruixes and the washing place of l’Abiar cease to be forgotten elements to become living spaces that reinforce our pride as a town and attract quality cultural tourism».
