Refurbishment of Convent of San Diego Promises New Uses

With ITS funding, heritage restoration works on the convent in Alaior are complete

What does it consist of?

The historic Convent of San Diego, in Alaior, has completed another phase of restoration works, including the adaptation of two rooms for cultural uses and the restoration of important heritage elements. Actions carried out include the installation of a climate control system, cleaning of the cistern and restorations to wall paintings.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
Renovation of the heritage and assets of the San Diego convent
LOCATION
Minorca (Alaior)
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Govern de les Illes Balears
Entity that executes the project
Agència d'Estratègia Turística de les Illes Balears (AETIB)
Project code
ITS2016-004
Total project amount
884.693 €
ITS granted amount
884.693 €
Executed amount
826.425 €
Call year
2016
Execution status
Executed
Purpose
Cultural heritage
Budget execution
Executed: 93.41%
Last data request
20.09.2023

The project

The Convent of San Diego, in the Menorcan municipality of Alaior, is a 17th-century building listed as a Cultural Interest Asset. Its acquisition by the Government of the Balearic Islands marked the beginning of a process of heritage restoration which, with this latest intervention, is moving towards its repurposing as a public space tied to local culture and gastronomy.

This phase of the project has seen key actions completed such as the installation of a climate control system, waterproofing of the cistern, restoration of all the vault keystones and the refurbishment of two rooms that will house the future "Menorcan Gastronomy Centre", a new use that seeks to strengthen the building’s influence and tie it to the island’s culinary heritage.

Among the most delicate interventions was the restoration of the grisaille, monochrome wall paintings of significant artistic value, now repositioned following restoration. These works have made the Convent a space that can host cultural activities, receive visitors and be used by the community.

Throughout December 2020 and January 2021, free guided tours were offered to show the result of the works. With an investment of more than €880,000 from sustainable tourism tax funds, this is yet another initiative that highlights Menorca’s historical heritage with a focus on territorial and cultural sustainability.