Consell promotes restoration and redevelopment of Capella de sa Tanca Vella and surroundings

The Office of Heritage of the Consell de Formentera has put out to tender the restoration and redevelopment of Sa Capella de sa Tanca Vella and its surroundings, a project drafted by architect Marià Castelló.

Included in Formentera's Cultural Heritage Management Plan 2022-2023, the upgrades are, according to Raquel Guasch, councillor of heritage, "a necessary intervention to elevate this heritage site by improving its protection and accessibility." Councillor Guasch described the restoration of the surrounding area as "essential as well", and said that, considering the Sant Francesc location of the monument, the changes would make it "more visible and visitable for tourists and island residents." The fences encircling the area were removed in January 2021.

Traditional materials and environmental integration
In general terms, the project would restore Tanca Vella chapel, including replacing unsuitable materials like industrial cement with traditional ones such as mortar, limestone and wood. Plans also include removing non-original features associated with past interventions which involved materials and building systems aggressive with the historic building. These plans would also focus on the area immediately surrounding the monument, leaving it undeveloped and in some places allowing the original rocky outcropping of the soil to show through.

Plans also include urbanising the perimeter of the current plot, upgrades which would offer a transition between the monument and the rest of the public urban space.

The base bidding budget for the works is €203,902.38, including VAT, and work must be complete within six months. The project has obtained €84,874 in funding through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan financed by the European Union – Next Generation.

18 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera