The General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Government of Aragon has begun renovation works on the roofs and the tower of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in the town of Barbastro, Huesca. The project aims to preserve this historic monument through urgent interventions on the deteriorated structures of the building.
The contract for the work has been awarded to the company Piedra Casbi S.L. with a budget of €391,413.63 (including VAT) and an estimated duration of four months. Technicians from the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage visited the cathedral on Wednesday, October 22, along with representatives from the Barbastro City Council and the Bishopric to coordinate the start of the work.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady was declared a Historical Artistic Monument on June 3, 1931. Its structure includes the cathedral with a main nave, sacristy, adjoining chapels, spaces annexed to the feet, and a separate bell tower. The main body of the building dates back to the 16th century, while the chapels were built during the 17th and 18th centuries. The separate tower dates from the early 14th century, with its upper part from the 17th century. The north, west, and east facades are surrounded by public spaces; the south facades are hidden by attached private residential buildings.
Although the building is generally in relatively good condition, significant damage has been detected, particularly on the cathedral roofs and the facades of the tower, representing a danger to users and the preservation of the monument. The problems affect both the vertical and horizontal surfaces, degrading the structure, and the tower also shows deterioration of its stone walls. The restoration of these structures is essential for the conservation of the building; thus, a project was previously contracted to determine the needed investment and the works to be executed.
