SANTO DOMINGO- Tourism Minister David Collado inaugurated the restoration of 15 heritage facades this Monday, with the aim of preserving the historical value of the Colonial City.
The project, which involved an investment of over 29 million pesos, consists of the conservation, maintenance and restoration of the exterior facades of religious and civil monuments of great historical and cultural value.
These events took place in the Museum of the Royal Houses, the Pantheon of the Fatherland and the churches of Our Lady of Las Mercedes, San Lázaro, Regina Angelorum, First Dominican Evangelical Church and the sanctuary church of Our Lady of Altagracia.
Also the parish of San Miguel, the chapels of Our Lady of Remedies, of the Third Order, of the Rosary and of Solitude, as well as the Hermitage of San Antón.
Collado highlighted the importance of these in keeping alive the historical value of the Colonial city, a cultural heritage of humanity.
“This project highlights our historical legacy and reaffirms the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and restoring spaces of high architectural value in the Colonial City,” said David Collado.
He said that all those places are real attractions for visitors, both national and foreign, who come to the Colonial City.
Route
The process included specialized cleaning, biocidal and fungicidal treatments, structural consolidation with natural limes, application of breathable paints, water-repellent protection, and replacement and restoration work on architectural elements.
A press release explains that each one was made respecting the principles of heritage restoration, using compatible materials and techniques adapted to current conditions.
The intervention was carried out together with expert staff from the National Directorate of Monumental Heritage, taking into account the specialized construction systems for its restoration, cleaning and conservation.
The work was carried out by the Executive Committee for Infrastructure of Tourist Zones (CEIZTUR), at a total cost of RD$29,830,476.
The opening ceremony was attended by provincial and municipal authorities, tourism entrepreneurs, and community leaders, among others.
The monuments
1-Pantheon of the Fatherland
Moss and vegetation were removed using biocides, followed by specialized cleaning of areas with black crust and efflorescence. Lime grout was applied to cracks, along with breathable white acrylic paint, fungicides, and a high-durability water repellent. In addition, maintenance was performed on metal elements and stained glass windows were cleaned.
2-Museum of the Royal Houses
The actions included cleaning with alkaline products, applying acrylic paint, and treating the walls with a water-repellent agent. Paper pulp packaging and ammonium bicarbonate were used for spot cleaning.
3-Church of Our Lady of Mercy
The following work was carried out: vegetation removal, application of lime slurry, wall cleaning, application of fungicides and water repellent, and application of breathable acrylic paint. The affected plaster was redone with hydraulic lime, joints were restored, and a glaze was applied according to the approved sample.
4-Church of Saint Lazarus
Similar work was carried out to the previous one: removal of vegetation, treatment of cracks with lime, cleaning, application of fungicides, water repellent, and painting. Maintenance of the metal railings was also performed.
5-Parish of San Miguel
The work included cleaning the walls, applying breathable paint, replacing the tiles, and applying a water-repellent treatment.
6-Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies
Deteriorated layers were removed, vegetation was cleared, and areas were consolidated with lime slurry. Terracotta-colored plaster was replaced, fungicide was applied, and a glaze, paint, and water-repellent coating were applied.
7-Santa Clara Church
Work focused on specialized cleaning, fungicide treatments, application of white acrylic paint and double application of water repellent on walls.
8-Chapel of the Third Order
It included removal of damaged plaster, application of paint and glazing, lime treatments, and deep cleaning.
9-Church Sanctuary of Our Lady of Altagracia
Fungicides, acrylic paint, water repellent, and cleaning with pulp packing were applied.
10-Chapel of the Rosary
The work on the Church and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Altagracia included cleaning, applying lime and fungicides, water-repellent treatments, painting, and replacing bricks and tiles. The roof was also repaired and waterproofed.
11-First Dominican Evangelical Church
Consolidation work was carried out using lime grout, cleaning with a pressure washer, preventive chemical treatments and water repellent.
12-Hermitage of San Antón
Vegetation and moss were removed, paint was applied, hydraulic lime was used, the roof was cleaned and repaired, and bricks and tiles were replaced.
13-Church and Convent of the Dominicans
The project included cleaning, removal of vegetation, consolidation of walls with lime, application of paint and glazing, and maintenance of metal elements.
14-Chapel of Solitude
A comprehensive restoration was carried out, including the removal of vegetation, consolidation with lime, application of micro layers of silicate, and acrylic painting.
15-Regina Angelorum Church.
The walls were cleared of vegetation and moss, cracks were treated with lime grout, and a specialized cleaning was performed using alkaline products and paper pulp. Preventative fungicides were also applied. In addition, the surfaces were protected with a highly durable water repellent.
