Rescue op for Sant Bertomeu at Javea

EMERGENCY work is to be carried out at Javea’s Sant Bertomeu church. 
Earlier this year the regional government’s Culture department agreed to repairs and town hall has now given permission to carry out the necessary renovation. 
The deteriorated 16th century Valencian Gothic church needs cracks sealed and because of its leaking roof, pews had to be covered with plastic sheeting during the torrential rains of last September. 
The belfry steps are worn, its floorboards are broken and a gargoyle has been tethered to the tower with ties to prevent it from breaking away entirely and falling to the ground.  
Sant Bertomeu was a fortress-church, built to protect the town against pirate incursions, is now classed as an Asset of Cultural Importance (BIC) although in 1932 the Republican government declared it a National Artistic Monument.  
The Church authorities must now organise funding for the €500,000 project drafted by Salvador Vila, architect-conservator of Valencia Cathedral. 
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