Global Fund Targets Belchite’s Historical Ruins in Urgent Preservation Effort

ES
Published:

The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has included the Spanish town of Belchite on its latest watch list, identifying it as one of 25 sites worldwide at risk of irreversible damage. This historic site, located approximately 40 kilometers from Zaragoza, gained notoriety during the Spanish Civil War for its violent battles, leading to significant destruction and loss of life.

Once a thriving community with about 4,500 residents, Belchite was left in ruins after the intense fighting in 1937, which resulted in around 5,000 casualties. Today, fewer than 10% of the original structures remain intact, as the site suffers from deteriorating conditions exacerbated by time and variable weather.

Local initiatives, spearheaded by the Fundación Pueblo Viejo de Belchite, aim to preserve and promote cultural tourism. This includes guided tours and film projects, leveraging its unique historical narrative for broader engagement. In 2024 alone, Belchite attracted 38,000 visitors.

Pablo Longoria, the executive director of WMF Spain, articulated the urgency associated with the site: “With the current rate of deterioration, Belchite could be gone in as little as 20 years.” The organization is now seeking private funding to initiate conservation efforts and establish a visitor center as part of a comprehensive preservation strategy.

For Belchite, this recognition from the WMF is not just an appeal for financial support but also an acknowledgment of its significance as a site of cultural and historical importance, marking a brutal chapter in Spanish history.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from Spain

Belchite: A Civil War Relic Faces Environmental Decline

The Spanish town of Belchite, a site emblematic of the Spanish Civil War, has been selected by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) as one of 25 global locations in need of urgent preservation efforts. WMF's selection comes in light of the site's significant deterioration, projected to lead to the loss of its remaining ruins within 20 years. Belchite is known for its pivotal role during the 1937 battle, which claimed approximately 5,000 lives and attracted notable journalists such as Ernest Hemingway. According to Marta Beltrán, head of the Belchite Tourist Office, the town drew 38,000 visitors in 2024, highlighting its cultural significance. The WMF, which has raised around $300 million for heritage conservation since its establishment in 1965, seeks funds to stabilize Belchite's ruins and address urgent needs, such as establishing a visitor center. Other sites sharing this precarious status include Gaza's Historic Urban Fabric and Kyiv's Teacher’s House. The WMF emphasizes the importance of both private and public financial support in safeguarding these cultural landmarks for future generations.
ES

Spanish Police Rescue Kidnapped Man Using Steering Wheel Photo

Spanish National Police successfully rescued an unnamed man who was abducted in Sabinillas, Málaga, after he sent a photo of his abductors' car's steering wheel to his girlfriend. This crucial image, which included the logo of the vehicle, helped authorities locate the victim within 16 hours of being informed about the kidnapping on January 23, 2025. The victim was taken by a group of men while walking along a seafront public street and forced into the trunk of a vehicle. He managed to communicate with his girlfriend, sending both images and videos that showcased him being threatened with a gun regarding a debt linked to an alleged drug deal worth 30,000 euros (approximately $32,000). Police quickly tracked down the victim by following leads from the images and geographic coordinates. Four suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons. Fortunately, authorities reported that the victim was found healthy and unharmed.
ES

Ancient Roman Mosaic Returns Home to Spain After 8,768-Mile Journey

An ancient Roman mosaic, originally created in the third century, has made an extraordinary journey of 8,768 miles back to its place of origin in Nigrán, Spain. The mosaic, known as the Roman Mosaic of Panxón, depicts a vibrant marine scene and had been lost in the international art market for decades. The mosaic was discovered on a private estate prior to 1850 and was believed to have been lost until its rediscovery in 2018 by Spanish lawyer Gonzalo Fernández-Turégano at the Carlton Hobbs antiques house in New York City. Inspired by childhood memories of the mosaic, which he had seen in a book, Fernández-Turégano led a grassroots effort to repatriate the piece. With support from the Nigrán City Council and a crowdfunding campaign that raised €58,000, the mosaic was successfully purchased in 2022 and returned to Spain in late November 2024 after an extensive procurement process overcome by various hurdles, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit-related complications. On January 23, 2025, the mosaic arrived at its final destination in Nigrán, where it will be temporarily displayed in the plenary hall as part of a museum project. Plans for a permanent exhibition space are currently underway, ensuring that this significant artifact will be preserved for future generations to appreciate.
ES
All Spain News ->