Santo Estevo Monastery – When Tourism and Heritage come together
Published on 30 May 2021
Spain
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About this good practice
Santo Estevo Monastery is one of the most prominent and spectacular exemplar of a rich monumental heritage of Galicia. With various styles, from the Romanesque to Baroque and Gothic and with its origins believed to date back to 6th and 7th century, it is declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1923.
The project of restoration and re-use of the old monastery in the Ribeira Sacra region, re-purposing this historic building for the hospitality services, was an answer to the problem of creating a new use of this historic space and safeguarding a valuable historic and architectural heritage, while ensuring the way for its sustainability.
This way, the project also has an impact on a stronger cultural development in this area, bringing the history and art together with the purpose of revitalizing and safeguarding the culture as a driving force for a wider development of a local community and for the tourism development of the whole area.
The hotel is managed by a public state-owned luxury hotel chain, Paradores
The project of restoration and re-use of the old monastery in the Ribeira Sacra region, re-purposing this historic building for the hospitality services, was an answer to the problem of creating a new use of this historic space and safeguarding a valuable historic and architectural heritage, while ensuring the way for its sustainability.
This way, the project also has an impact on a stronger cultural development in this area, bringing the history and art together with the purpose of revitalizing and safeguarding the culture as a driving force for a wider development of a local community and for the tourism development of the whole area.
The hotel is managed by a public state-owned luxury hotel chain, Paradores
Resources needed
The restoration was made by public funds, from Ministry, respecting the regulations and reports from technical and archaeological office. The total amount invested in 2004 was 3.000.000 € to indoor remodelling, decoration, artistic design, furniture, wifi, equipment, ..
Evidence of success
Restoration the ancient Monastery in a Parador is a way to revitalize the area, with a long-term economic viability as well as opening up the cultural, religious, heritage. The annual accounts evidence the results, more than other is one specific account designated for repairing and conserving the building.
By restoring it, re-using it for a commercial purposes but keeping its unique characteristics of a Romanesque and baroque architecture, the project ensured the safeguarding of this valuable
By restoring it, re-using it for a commercial purposes but keeping its unique characteristics of a Romanesque and baroque architecture, the project ensured the safeguarding of this valuable
Potential for learning or transfer
This type of redevelopment of a religious heritage can be transferable worldwide, but to the countries of similar values, concerning the different views on the religion and a religious heritage in different countries.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Paradores
Spain
Galicia
Contact
Technician