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Date Published: 30/09/2024

European recognition ceremony for the restoration of the Pozos de la Nieve

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Alhama de Murcia is once again an example of heritage recovery in Europe with the restoration of the Snow Wells

European recognition ceremony for the restoration of the Pozos de la Nieve

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.

For more information, news and what's on visit Murcia today

Image: AYUNTAMIENTO ALHAMA DE MURCIA

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Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIA

Tel: 968 633 512

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Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia

Alhama de Murcia Tourist Office

Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.

The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.

The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.