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Moorish city unearthed in Murcia to be protected as a cultural asset
The remains of a Moorish city discovered in Murcia, under threat until a month ago by a controversial project for a new underground car park, are to be protected as a BIC cultural asset and an archaeological site. The regional government took the decision this Monday after a meeting with experts who have been advising on how best to preserve the site. The regional councillor for culture, Pedro Alberto Cruz, told La Opinión de Murcia that a new foundation is to be set up, the Foundation for Mediaeval Murcia, to oversee and seek funding for the San Esteban dig and conversation project.
The find beneath the 17th Century Palacio de San Esteban in Murcia city centre is the remains of more than 50 houses, 7 palaces and even a small mosque, which are believed to date from the 13th Century during the time that Murcia was occupied by the Moors.
Work on the car park was only halted after weeks of protests over City Hall’s plans to remove the remains and reposition them above the car park once construction was completed; El País reports that the news of the BIC declaration was greeted by a member of the platform which has defended the site’s protection with the words, ‘We have won every battle and also the war’.
The find beneath the 17th Century Palacio de San Esteban in Murcia city centre is the remains of more than 50 houses, 7 palaces and even a small mosque, which are believed to date from the 13th Century during the time that Murcia was occupied by the Moors.
Work on the car park was only halted after weeks of protests over City Hall’s plans to remove the remains and reposition them above the car park once construction was completed; El País reports that the news of the BIC declaration was greeted by a member of the platform which has defended the site’s protection with the words, ‘We have won every battle and also the war’.
(You can find a photo for this story at Typically Spanish - Click here)