La Catedral de Cartagena se protegerá con una cubierta de madera de aspecto flotante

The Spartaria proposal, by architect Carlos Campos, has been unanimously selected by the jury of the contest of ideas convened for the restoration of the Cathedral of Santa María la Mayor in Cartagena. The project, presented publicly today, envisages a comprehensive intervention that will restore the building to its monumental character and incorporate it as a religious, cultural, and tourist space.

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The mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, has stated that «the proposal is very forceful and will allow all the uses that we all Cartageneros want to be generated,» and therefore, as she has announced, an exhibition will be held «to show the winning proposal and also the rest of the works presented by professionals of great prestige» since she considers it «very important that all Cartageneros know the why of this project and this decision,» she concluded.

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The jury composed of experts in Architecture, Archaeology, and History, has chosen from among 12 proposals a project that recreates the volume of the building with a wooden cover of great visual lightness, which rises above the temple without invading its columns and allows the passage of light. This architectural solution endows the whole with a sense of «weightlessness,» while soberly addressing the needs of structural protection and archaeological compatibility, as highlighted by the president of the jury and vice-dean of the College of Architects, Juan Pedro Sanz Alarcón.

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The intervention ensures the integration of archaeological remains belonging to the Roman Theater and previous to that building, foresees spaces reserved exclusively for worship in the chapels and a large versatile area suitable for activities, including religious celebrations.

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The actions also include conservation of archaeological remains, restoration of interior and exterior facades, adaptation of exhibition spaces, and installation of technical systems to ensure the safety and public use of the complex.

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During the presentation, the mayor of Cartagena Noelia Arroyo emphasized that the project has an estimated budget of 2.6 million euros, in its first phase, whose financing corresponds to the Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda, according to the protocol signed in 2019 by the Ministry itself, the Diocese of Cartagena, and the City Council. In compliance with that commitment, the City Council has already allocated the necessary funds to hire the drafting of the project, which is the next step after the selection of the winning proposal.

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The project foresees four phases of execution, with a total amount of 5.1 million euros, starting with the covering of the head of the temple and the consolidation of the most vulnerable structures. It includes the creation of a new vertical access core that will connect with the Roman Theater and facilitate the museographic route.

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The architect Carlos Campos, author of Spartaria, specializes in heritage restoration and has been recognized for projects such as the recovery of the church of San Nicolás de Bari in Valencia, awarded the Hispania Nostra Prize.

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EXHIBITION

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The project will be the subject of a public exhibition along with the rest of the finalist proposals. There will also be an open explanation day for the public, detailing the technical and heritage elements that have supported the jury’s decision.

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Representatives of the Official College of Architects of Murcia, the Higher Technical School of Architecture and Building of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, the Official College of Architects of the Region of Murcia, the Cathedral Museum of Murcia, the Autonomous Community through the General Secretariat of Education, Vocational Training, and Employment, the Roman Theater Museum, the Catholic University of San Antonio, the Archaeology Chair of the University of Murcia, and the History Chair of Cartagena have been present in the jury.

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