Algarve news and information portal - AlgarveMais

What was once considered the end of the world, literally, and later a starting point for the Portuguese Discoveries, Sagres Fort has not received the treatment it deserves in recent times, being untouched for the past fifteen years. A new €8 million renovation project and the creation of an exhibition is currently taking place, expected to be completed by 2011. After three buildings located at the Sagres Fort were built in the 1990’s to attract tourism, the area has been completely untouched since, not receiving any maintenance or restoration work.

“The Fort has not had any construction work in 15 years. After renovations are done, there must be maintenance, which did not happen. This space is very special, not only for the story of Henry the Navigator, but also for the weather” said Dália Paulo, regional Culture director of the Algarve, adding that it is due to the lack of maintenance that these new refurbishments are necessary.

The new €8 million project, which is already taking place, foresees the restoration of the surrounding walls of the fort, the compass and the Monument to the Discoveries, as well as the creation of a botanical footpath all the way to the tip of Sagres. A new exhibition dedicated to Henry the Navigator will be created within one of the already existing buildings. “The exhibition centre will have a permanent exhibition dedicated to Henry the Navigator, the Fort and the Portuguese discoveries: considered to be the beginning of globalization” said Dália Paulo to Lusa news agency.

So far the guide for the new exhibition and its content are completed, with all the planned renovations currently taking place. According to the regional Culture director, the exhibition will allow visitors to understand Portugal’s importance in the past and also see what the future holds for the country.

The Sagres Fort will also have a cycling path built, as well as access for people with reduced mobility.

The €8 million investment will be split between Turismo de Portugal, the Regional Coordination and Development Committee and the Ministry for Culture.

 

source: http://www.theportugalnews.com/