The Xunta de Galicia will strengthen its commitment to the conservation of artistic and cultural heritage with a 7% increase in next year’s budgets allocated for this purpose. This was announced today by the Minister of Culture, Education, Vocational Training and Universities, Román RodrÃguez, during a visit to the medieval bridge of Pontevea, where the autonomous Administration has just finished restoration work worth €220,000.
The representative of the region emphasized that the purpose of this “investment effort” is to expand the scope of the work done in recent years “to continue to care for, preserve and maintain our rich wealth in the best possible way.” circumstances,” emphasized Román RodrÃguez before adding that the 2024 Budget includes the main lines of work in this area such as the Catedrais Plan or the Ribeira Sacra Plan, among others.
“These accounts entrusted to the treasures of the Galicians will allow us to carry out actions such as the one that has already been completed on this bridge and where part of the old route has been recovered, as well as solving the problems derived from over time, “explained the councilor. So, thanks to these works, today residents and visitors can reflect on what the original street was like, which, since its creation in the 11th century, has had an important role in the pilgrimage to Compostela and in the development of trade routes.
Specifically, the purpose of the work launched by the regional administration is to solve the existing pathologies of the bridge. For this, works are carried out to consolidate the structure by recovering and strengthening the walls with the installation of steel braces anchored in concrete.
In addition, the project includes the recovery of the cobblestones and the environment, the renewal of the pavement, the cleaning of the cobblestones and the creation of a viewing space on the bridge with street furniture and new information sign.
The space is full of history
The bridge of Pontevea is a unique bridge of the cultural heritage of Galicia located on a communication route of Roman origin, whose construction began in the medieval period. Throughout history it has undergone many reconstructions and is the scene of milestones such as the War of Independence or the battles against the Napoleonic troops that took place starting in 1809, which caused damage to the elements of structures such as arches.
