Sa Raval Vella Converts Its Quarries Into a Maritime Cultural Centre

The plan has turned old quarries into a space dedicated to Menorca’s naval heritage

What does it consist of?

Es Castell Town Council has taken over the Sa Raval Vella quarries to convert them into a visitor centre based on traditional sailing in Menorca. The plan includes the restoration of the space and a historic boat exhibition.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
Conversion of the Sa Raval Vella des Castell quarries
LOCATION
Minorca (Es Castell)
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Consell Insular de Menorca
Entity that executes the project
Consell Insular de Menorca
Project code
ITS2018-068
Total project amount
748.022 €
ITS granted amount
748.022 €
Executed amount
685.431 €
Call year
2018
Execution status
Executed
Purpose
Cultural heritage
Budget execution
Executed: 91.63%
Last data request
14.08.2023

The project

The Sa Raval Vella quarries, located in the municipality of Es Castell, have gone from being a degraded, unused space, to a future cultural attraction. These old underground pits for extracting sandstone, a key stone in traditional Menorcan architecture, have now been converted into a centre dedicated to maritime heritage.

In the past, these local authority-owned quarries served different purposes, such as housing a former rehearsal room and youth centre. However, they had been closed for years. This plan promoted its structural restoration and adaptation as an exhibition space, respecting the pit environment and its importance as heritage.

The new cultural centre is focused on teaching the public about the island's traditional boats and their conservation. In total, 18 boats between 3 and 7.3 metres long are on display, together with information and video resources. The exhibition will teach people not just about the history of these boats, but also how they connect to the way of life, trades and recreational uses of the Menorcan coastline.

The action was executed between 2018 and 2023, with a budget of €685,431 funded by sustainable tourism tax. The plan has strengthened the protection of Menorca's tangible and intangible heritage, linking traditional sandstone construction with sailing culture.