Go-ahead for renovations in Almanzora

THE Andalucia regional government has approved renovations to Cuevas del Almanzora’s Marques de Los Velez castle which the council hopes will attract more tourists and improve visitors experience.
The plans set out improvements to parts of the castle which have deteriorated, and putting areas to different uses: the Local Police will move out of the castle complex and the building will become a museum and information centre.
Also on the drawing board is restoring ground floor paintings on the ground floor which were the work of prisoners held there in the 18th century.
The total investment in the project will add up to more than €430,000. The National Development Ministry will contribute 30 per cent of the funds under the 1.5% Cultural Programme, the aim of which is to allocate said a percentage of the public works budget to initiatives related to conserving and restoring heritage sights.
The Junta de Andalucia commission which gave the go-ahead to the Cuevas castle project also gave the green light to the renovation of the Almeria cathedral bell tower and to works on Tabernas castle’s hispano-muslim fortification.