The Ministry of Culture has given its approval to the project for the rehabilitation, conservation and restoration of the turn of the 20th century Rubalcava Palace in Orihuela. The agreement was made after Orihuela Town Hall accepted the ministry’s wishes that the revamped building become a museum, on the condition that training rooms are also included in the plans.
The Mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana, announced that after a further 12 months since the last project plan was submitted and denied, the restoration can now start.
Mayor Bascuñana said: “We are happy because we have taken an important step to continue with this project that we are so excited about and on which we have been working since the previous legislature. We hope to be able to conclude the project soon so that we can tender the works as soon as possible.”
“The tireless work of the Historical Heritage area, headed by the councillor Rafael Almagro, as well as the entire team, means we are npw able to advance in the renovation of this important asset that needs urgent action.”
The work planned by the Department of Heritage to restore and renovate the palace is estimated reach three million euros, of which 50 percent will be subsidised with European funds. Councillor Almagro pointed out that by the end of this year the tender for the project to award the work in early 2021 could be issued and work could begin in the middle of next year. The programme of works will last for one year “so that by mid-2022 the palace may be renovated and restored”.
The City Council will restore the furniture and paintings that were located in the old Palace of Rubalcava and reinstate its noble rooms, which are recorded in several photos and documents. All of this will add to the Palaces attraction once it opens as a museum.
The Mayor also explained that the Department of Historical Heritage is also making progress ‘in important projects to recover a large part of Orihuela’s heritage, such as the buildings of Los Antiguos Couzgados, Caja de Monserrate, the Sala de los Hombres of the San Juan Museum of God and the House of Miners’ and promised that further details will be advanced given in the coming weeks.