Presentation
Welcome to the website of PATRIMÓNIO CULTURAL, I.P.
The purpose of this website is to provide access to information on the different areas of activity under the direct responsibility of PATRIMÓNIO CULTURAL, I.P. within the scope of Material Cultural Heritage, namely Immovable Cultural Assets – architectural and archaeological heritage – and Integrated Cultural Heritage, and Intangible Cultural Heritage.
WHO WE ARE?
PATRIMÓNIO CULTURAL, I.P is responsible for managing Cultural Heritage in mainland Portugal.
Its responsibilities include the study, research and dissemination of Portuguese Material and Intangible Cultural Heritage, the management of architectural and archaeological built heritage, and the carrying out of conservation and restoration works in monuments and archaeological sites classified, in the process of being classified or of high interest historical, artistic and scientific and for the management of a vast network of monuments and archaeological sites distributed across the continental national territory, including the documentation and inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
WHAT WE DO?
The three fundamental axes of our activity are:
- Knowledge, inventory, safeguarding, conservation, valorization and dissemination of architectural, archaeological, movable and intangible Cultural Heritage;
- The opening to the public of monuments and archaeological sites under its direct management;
- Permanent articulation with other entities, public and private, national and international, in the areas of regulation and inspection, scientific research, educational and training activities and territorial administration.
We define guidelines
We establish the guidelines and the strategic plan for the implementation of national policies in the area of Cultural Heritage, exercising a normative, regulatory and supervisory role.
We define standards and procedures and issue binding directives within the scope of safeguarding, conserving, recovering and enhancing Immovable Cultural Assets classified or in the process of being classified and their respective protection zones, and also in the field of safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
We protect
We activate action mechanisms to ensure the safeguarding of Cultural Heritage. We develop pedagogical actions, defining and disseminating methodologies and intervention procedures in Cultural Heritage, monitoring, technically supervising and adopting, whenever necessary, the measures provided for by law.
We participate in environmental impact assessment procedures and in the development of territorial management instruments.
We comment on interventions by public or private initiatives that affect classified Cultural Heritage, in the process of being classified or in special protection zones, exercising a supervisory function and being able to suspend works that are being carried out in violation of established standards or conditions .
We authorize the carrying out of archaeological work, monitor its execution and monitor compliance with the Archaeological Work Regulations.
We develop forms of collaboration with public and private, national and international entities, with a view to preventing illicit trafficking in Cultural Goods.
We promote the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, through support for programs to protect oral expressions of cultural transmission and traditional techniques and knowledge, and by promoting the graphic, sound and audiovisual recording of Cultural Heritage without material support.
We classify
We classify Material and Intangible Cultural Heritage according to internal proposals or those presented by other entities, namely municipalities.
Immovable Cultural Assets of cultural interest may belong to the categories of Monument, Complex or Site and be classified as of National Interest, Public Interest or Municipal Interest.
Immovable Cultural Assets in the process of being classified automatically benefit from a general protection zone (ZGP) or, alternatively, a special provisional protection zone (ZEPP). Classified Immovable Cultural Assets must have a special protection zone (ZEP). These administrative easements aim to minimize negative impacts on the quality of their surroundings, including underground levels.
The inventory heritage regime applies to Intangible Cultural Assets.
We conserve, recover and value
We intervene in Cultural Heritage classified or in the process of being classified, conserving, recovering and enhancing it, including architectural and archaeological heritage, its integrated movable heritage and respective protection zones.
Our action includes the prior survey of needs and state of conservation of heritage assets, the development of plans and projects for the execution of interventions and their respective implementation, technical monitoring and inspection, adopting the most advanced methodologies