Son Fornés, archaeological heritage research and documentation centre

The project

The Son Fornés archaeological heritage research and documentation centre will continue to develop the three lines of action outlined by the Son Fornés Archaeological Museum (research, communication and conservation), but with an integration and spatial consolidation designed to amplify its scale of impact.

In this sense, it should not only be the ideal platform for the research needs of the site itself, but rather it will complement its activities by offering educational workshops for schools and universities, specialised archaeological training courses and the reception of international specialists in the different archaeo-ecological disciplines. Likewise, it will offer historical-artistic heritage professionals a place for storing documentation that is currently non-existent in the Balearic Islands.

The objective of the work is the construction of a museum, offices, accommodation and a laboratory attached to the archaeological site of the Son Fornés estate. The proposed project will be located in the upper part of the estate and include the renovation of existing buildings located near the access road so as to interfere as little as possible with the original layout and not affect the existing vegetation.  The project to restore and renovate the "Casas de Son Fornés" houses will be an architectural act covering the whole section, but respecting the importance of each entity.

The renovation of the houses and their adaptation to become the headquarters of the Son Fornés Archaeological Museum, will mean a revaluation of the entire estate in patrimonial (link with the archaeological framework), ethnological (restoration and conservation of traditional rural architecture) and environmental (protection of native forests, crops and animal species) terms.

However, the greatest asset of the project will be the offer of quality products and services for cultural tourism, capable of transforming the local economy and becoming a highly profitable resource in social and environmental terms. Culture has the capacity to highlight tourist destinations by emphasising the aspects that distinguish the experience of a specific community in a specific environment. The archaeological legacy of the Talaiotic past preserved in Son Fornés is an excellent example of this.